Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says he and US President Donald Trump have the same goals regarding Iran, but insists that whether Washington makes a nuclear deal with Tehran or not, he will ensure that Iran never has nuclear weapons as long as he is prime minister.
When asked about the ongoing tension over the US-Iran agreement (MOU) and subsequent nuclear talks, Netanyahu said that he and Trump are working towards the same goal.
What are the goals of Trump and Netanyahu?
Netanyahu said, “We want Iran to give up its nuclear weapons program. We want nuclear-enriched material to be removed. We want enrichment sites for nuclear material to be dismantled. We have other shared goals.”
Netanyahu added, “President Trump believes that after Israel and the United States have soundly defeated Iran, they can create enough space and enough pressure through negotiations that these goals can be achieved. And, you know, we respect that, and I hope they succeed.” He then said, “I can tell you this: With or without a deal, as long as I am prime minister, Iran will not have nuclear weapons.”
Netanyahu refuses to comment on reported progress in US-Iran talks or criticism from his supporters that the deal with Washington keeps the Iranian government intact and likely to reinvigorate it. He said that the talks are not over yet and when it is over, then I will give my opinion on it.
He said, “Believe me, if I have to share my opinion, I do so without hesitation. And when they have to tell me something, they also do so without hesitation. Friends and colleagues do the same with each other.”