President Donald Trump said Sunday Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should be “very thankful” the United States struck a peace deal with Iran “because if Iran had a nuclear weapon, Israel wouldn’t be around for two hours.”
The comments came hours after Trump and Pakistan Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced the U.S. and Iran had agreed to a peace agreement framework that would extend the ceasefire for 60 days and reopen the Strait of Hormuz. The deal is scheduled to be signed on Friday in Switzerland.
Trump made the comments in a phone conversation with the New York Times, in which he said Netanyahu “is a very difficult guy, and to be honest with you, he should be very thankful to us for doing this.”
Trump has consistently said any deal must ensure Iran cannot have access to a nuclear weapon, and he insisted during the interview that under this new agreement, Iran would be limited to enriching uranium at levels so low they “could never be used by the military.” He also said the U.S. would have “strong policing powers” to ensure Iran doesn’t violate a signed agreement.
Iran’s Supreme National Security Council confirmed the memorandum of understanding had been finalized, while Trump said in a Truth Social post after the initial announcement “Many presidents have tried to make Peace with Iran, and all have failed before me.”
The leaders of Britain, France, Germany, and Italy welcomed the announcement in a joint statement, saying “we are prepared to lift relevant sanctions in response to clear, verifiable steps by Iran on its nuclear program.”
TRUMP SAYS PEACE DEAL BETWEEN U.S. AND IRAN HAS BEEN REACHED
Trump also mentioned Chinese leader Xi Jinping during the conversation, saying “he was a total gentleman” for not sending a tanker “to try and break up the blockade.”
The text of the memorandum of understanding has not been released to the public. Trump has repeatedly compared the eventual outcome of his negotiations to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action negotiated under former President Barack Obama.
