Image credit: AP
US President Donald Trump publicly criticised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, describing him as a “very difficult guy”, while defending the newly announced US-Iran agreement and arguing that Israel should be grateful for Washington’s role in preventing Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.Speaking to a New York Times reporter, Trump also praised Russian President Vladimir Putin and Chinese President Xi Jinping for what he described as their constructive role during the crisis. Trump said both leaders helped create conditions for a settlement and refrained from taking actions that could have escalated tensions during the blockade of the Strait of Hormuz. “He’s a very difficult guy,” Trump said of Netanyahu. “and to be honest with you, he should be very thankful to us for doing this. Because if Iran had a nuclear weapon, Israel wouldn’t be around for two hours.”The remarks come amid growing differences between Washington and Tel Aviv over the US-Iran memorandum of understanding, which Israeli officials have criticised for failing to go far enough in dismantling Iran’s nuclear infrastructure.Trump insisted that the agreement would ensure the Strait of Hormuz remains “permanently toll-free”, a key American objective throughout months of negotiations. He argued that despite Netanyahu’s opposition, the deal had effectively removed what he described as the existential threat posed by Iran’s nuclear ambitions.The US president also warned Tehran that military action could resume if negotiations on a final nuclear settlement fail.According to Trump administration officials, detailed talks on Iran’s nuclear programme are expected to begin following the formal signing ceremony in Switzerland on Friday.Trump also floated an alternative scenario in which the United States could become “the guardian of the Middle East” in exchange for 20 per cent of the region’s revenues.During the conversation, Trump reserved particular praise for Chinese President Xi Jinping.“He was a total gentleman,” Trump said, referring to Xi. “He didn’t send a tanker, along with 20 destroyers on each side of it, to try and break up the blockade,”Trump suggested that such a move could have significantly worsened tensions between Washington and Beijing at a time when relations between the two countries are showing signs of improvement.The United States and Iran finalised their memorandum of understanding earlier on Sunday, with a formal signing ceremony scheduled to take place in Switzerland on Friday. Vice President JD Vance is expected to represent the United States at the event, although Trump has indicated he may still decide to attend.
