The United States (US) President, Donald Trump, has claimed that Israel would not exist today without his intervention, as he dismissed suggestions that Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, manipulated him into confronting Iran.
Trump made the remark during an interview on the Pod Force One podcast while responding to claims that he had been drawn into the conflict by the Israeli leader.
“He tricked me? No. I’m the one that started it,” Trump said.
According to the US President, his decision was driven by concerns over Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
“I started it because we can’t let them have a nuclear weapon. If there wasn’t me, there would be no Israel right now,” he said.
The comments came amid reports of tensions between Trump and Netanyahu following a recent telephone conversation over Israel’s military actions in the region.
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Tribune Online reports that Trump has explained why he confronted Netanyahu during a heated phone conversation, saying he was frustrated by Israel’s continued conflict with Lebanon.
Trump confirmed the exchange in an interview published on Wednesday by the New York Post when he was asked about reports that he used strong language while speaking with Netanyahu on Monday.
“You said, ‘Are you f-ing crazy? What are you f-ing doing? I helped you stay out of jail.’ Is that true? Did you speak to him in those terms?” the interviewer asked.
“I did,” Trump responded. “I was a little bit perturbed at his constantly fighting with Lebanon.”
“I said, ‘Bibi, we gotta stop this.’”
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