Trump: Netanyahu Didn't Defy Me on Iran Strikes
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- Trump spoke with BBC North America editor Sarah Smith in a phone call on Monday lasting just under a minute about his conversations with Netanyahu leading up to strikes on Iran.
- Trump said Netanyahu did not defy him by firing at Iran on Sunday, claiming the missiles were "already on their way" when he last spoke with the Israeli prime minister.
- Trump asserted his authority over Netanyahu, stating: "If I tell him to do something, he does it."
- Sarah Smith, the BBC's North America editor, conducted the interview, which addressed scrutiny over whether Netanyahu acted independently or with Trump's knowledge.
Why it matters: Trump's public denial that Netanyahu defied him reframes Sunday's Iran strikes as aligned with — rather than independent of — US wishes, a distinction that carries weight for US diplomatic credibility and any follow-on escalation with Iran. By claiming the missiles were "already on their way," Trump offers himself distance on timing while still asserting control over Netanyahu, preserving a narrative of US leadership over Israeli military decisions.
