In a recent interview with The Times of Israel, U.S. President Donald Trump stated that any decision regarding the conclusion of military actions against Iran will be a mutual one, made in collaboration with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. However, Trump emphasized that the final decision will rest with him.
During the phone interview on March 8, Trump remarked, “I think it’s mutual… to some extent. We communicate. I will make a decision at the right time, but everything will be taken into account.” When asked whether Israel could continue military operations against Iran after the U.S. halts its strikes, Trump dismissed the possibility, stating, “I don’t think that will be necessary.”
Trump further asserted that Iran would have destroyed Israel if not for the joint efforts with Netanyahu. He stated, “Iran was going to destroy Israel and everything around it… We worked together. We destroyed a country that wanted to destroy Israel.”
The interview followed reports from Iranian media indicating that Iran’s Assembly of Experts had selected Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of the late Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as the new Supreme Leader. Trump declined to comment on this development, simply saying, “We’ll see what happens.” Previously, he had suggested that the new Iranian leader would not last long without the approval of the White House.
On February 28, Israel conducted an attack on Tehran, which was followed by Trump announcing a “major military operation” against Iran aimed at eliminating perceived threats from the Iranian regime. He accused Iran of funding and training militants in Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, and Palestine, asserting that the operation’s goals included dismantling Iran’s missile industry and naval capabilities to prevent global destabilization.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed to have launched missiles and drones towards Israel, as well as attacked U.S. military bases in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates.
In response to the U.S. military actions against Iran, French President Emmanuel Macron called for an urgent meeting of the United Nations Security Council. The European Union reiterated its commitment to ensuring regional security and stability in the Middle East.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky expressed support for giving Iranians a chance to rid themselves of a “terrorist regime” and to ensure safety for all nations affected by attacks from Iran.
On March 1, the IRGC announced the initiation of “the most destructive offensive operation in the history of the Islamic Republic” against Israel and U.S. military bases. Trump urged the Iranian regime to abandon these plans, warning of a “very strong response.” On March 2, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated that the next phase of military operations against Iran would be even more devastating.
On March 6, Trump called for a complete change in Iran’s leadership, stating that he had several candidates in mind for a “good leader.” The Assembly of Experts later confirmed Mojtaba Khamenei as the third Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic on March 8.
U.S. President Donald Trump stated that decisions regarding military actions against Iran will be made jointly with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu. This comes amid ongoing military operations and recent developments in Iranian leadership.
Source: The Times of Israel