Trump says ‘there would be no Israel’ without him, takes credit for starting Iran war

WASHINGTON, DC: President Donald Trump said there would be “no Israel” without him as he pushed back against claims that he had been drawn into the conflict with Iran by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

Speaking during an interview on the podcast ‘Pod Force One’, released on Wednesday, June 3, the commander-in-chief rejected suggestions that he had been manipulated into the war and instead insisted that the decision was his own.

Trump rejects claims he was pushed into Iran conflict

During the interview, Trump was asked about reports that he had been "tricked" into launching military action against Iran because of pressure from Israel. He firmly rejected that idea and claimed responsibility for the decision.

“I’m the one that started it,” Trump said. “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.”

The remarks came as Trump sought to portray himself as the driving force behind the administration’s actions in the conflict.

Trump also claimed that Iran had already agreed not to pursue a nuclear weapon.

“I did have to say we have to do something about Iran, because regardless of how well we’re doing, we can’t let them have a nuclear weapon,” he said. “They’ve already agreed they’re not going to have a nuclear weapon.”

At the same time, the Republican leader acknowledged that circumstances could still change.

“I mean, now they can change their mind, but that was one of the things they’ve had to agree to, they’ve agreed to that. That was the big thing,” he added.

Trump confirms tense conversation with Netanyahu

A significant portion of the interview focused on reports that Trump and Netanyahu recently had a heated phone call regarding the war.

Podcast host Miranda Devine directly referenced claims that Trump had used strong language while speaking to the Israeli leader.

“You said ‘are you f****ng crazy’, what are you f****g doing’, ‘I helped you stay out of jail’. Is that true? Did you speak to him in those terms?” Devine asked.

Trump acknowledged that he had confronted Netanyahu but pushed back on descriptions of the conversation as an angry outburst. 

“I did. I wouldn’t say angry, I was a little bit perturbed at his constantly fighting with Lebanon,” Trump said. “At some point, I said, ‘Bibi, you’ve got to stop this. You’ve got to stop it.’”

Despite confirming that he challenged Netanyahu during the call, the POTUS insisted that their relationship remains strong.

“We have a very good relationship,” Trump said. “I like him a lot. I’ve worked very well with him.”

Fresh regional tensions add pressure to ceasefire talks

Trump’s remarks arrived as strikes continued across the region and ceasefire negotiations appeared to have stalled.

The president maintained that discussions were still taking place despite reports suggesting communication had slowed.

He dismissed claims that talks had ended and said negotiations remained active. 

Trump also revealed that Iran’s new supreme leader, Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei, had been involved in discussions with the US.

According to him, Khamenei has been giving approval during negotiations and the two could potentially meet in the future.

“I will probably meet with him at some point,” Trump said.