WASHINGTON DC, March 9: United States President Donald Trump stated that ending the ongoing conflict with Iran will be a “mutual” decision coordinated with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, emphasizing close collaboration in the joint military operation that killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
In a Times of Israel interview, Trump claimed Iran was poised to “destroy Israel and everything around it” before the February 28 intervention. “We’ve worked together. We’ve destroyed a country that wanted to destroy Israel,” he asserted, predicting the war would weaken Tehran’s proxies like Hamas into disarmament.
On timing, Trump avoided firm commitments despite White House estimates of 4-6 weeks, saying, “I’ll make a decision at the right time, but everything’s going to be taken into account.” He dismissed Israel acting alone post-US withdrawal as unnecessary.
Trump refrained from deep comment on Mojtaba Khamenei’s new role as Supreme Leader—announced post-strikes—stating only, “We’ll see what happens,” after prior warnings the leadership wouldn’t “last long” without US approval.
The President waded into Israeli politics, slamming President Isaac Herzog for not pardoning Netanyahu amid his bribery trial. “Bibi should be given that pardon immediately… We want Bibi focused on the war,” Trump urged, praising their partnership: “We’ve done a great job together.” Herzog’s office affirmed Israel’s rule of law via the Justice Ministry process.
Trump hailed the “eight-day-old war” for averting catastrophe, crediting Netanyahu’s leadership for Israel’s survival and forecasting worse times ahead for a debilitated Iran.
