US President Donald Trump told in an interview that he called Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ‘crazy’ on the phone because he felt that Israel’s ongoing war against Hezbollah in Lebanon was blocking peace talks with Iran. Trump also said that because of this he was a little angry, but still his relations with Netanyahu are good.
However, while acknowledging the tension, Trump said that his relationship with Netanyahu is strong and there is good coordination between the two as both are ‘wartime’ leaders. In an interview with the New York Post, Trump said, we have done a very good job together. I like Bibi (Benjamin Netanyahu) very much and I work very well with him.
Trump acknowledged that his phone call with Netanyahu was tense, a sign that pressure is mounting on him over the Iran war, as rising energy prices and economic uncertainty could hurt the Republican Party in the elections and hurt global trade.
Trump said he was not sure about the timeline for the end of the conflict and indicated that the Strait of Hormuz may remain closed until September 7 (Labor Day). He said he wants Iran to stop any efforts toward nuclear weapons and the route to be reopened for oil and gas supplies.
Trump said, I don’t know. But I think it may remain closed until Labor Day. However, this possibility is low. I think this will be resolved soon.
The US President also said that Iran’s supreme leader Mojtaba Khamenei is involved in peace talks. “He has great respect for him,” he said. Trump claimed that Khamenei was not well due to injuries sustained in the attack. But still he is approving the talks. However, these claims have not been independently verified.
Meanwhile, the tension in Lebanon shows no signs of reducing. The Israeli strike on Wednesday targeted a car on a busy highway south of Beirut. The attack came ahead of the second day of talks between Lebanon and Israel in Washington.