US President Donald Trump has issued another warning to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, telling him that he may be fighting alone if Israel returns to war with Iran. The caution comes amid escalating tensions in the Middle East following a series of retaliatory strikes since February 28, when the US and Israel launched coordinated assaults on Iran.
Trump's Ultimatum to Netanyahu
Trump reportedly called Netanyahu and cautioned that he could find himself battling alone if Israel resumed conflict with Iran. In an interview with Axios published on Monday, June 8, Trump revealed: "I said, 'Bibi, you better be careful, or you will be on your own very soon.'" The warning follows Israel's defiance of Trump's instructions not to strike Iran after the Arab state launched a volley of missiles on Sunday, marking the most serious escalation since a temporary ceasefire was negotiated in April.
Iran's Response and Global Impact
Iran retaliated by targeting locations throughout the region and shutting down the Strait of Hormuz shipping lane, causing chaos in global markets. The coordinated US-Israel assaults on Iran on February 28 triggered a cycle of attacks that has destabilized the region.
Netanyahu's Announcement
Trump's ultimatum appears to have proved effective. Netanyahu announced on Monday that his nation is postponing strikes on Iran and Hezbollah in Lebanon "for now." In a televised address, he declared: "Iran tried to dictate a new equation, one that we cannot accept. And after we targeted the terrorist regime in Iran, they stopped their attacks against us." However, Netanyahu cautioned that if "they commit another error and strike us again, we will respond harshly simply because we have the right to defend ourselves."
Growing Rift Between Leaders
Trump's ultimatum marks the latest disagreement between the two leaders. He has consistently warned Netanyahu against defying his commands. The Financial Times reported on Sunday that Trump said in an interview: "He won't have any choice. I call the shots. I call all the shots. He [Netanyahu] doesn't call the shots." Trump was referring to the conditions of a long-term peace agreement with Iran.
Trump also told Fox News that he would instruct Netanyahu to abstain from retaliatory measures against Iran, which Netanyahu disregarded. Last week, Trump reportedly told the prime minister: "You're f***ing crazy. You'd be in prison if it weren't for me. I'm saving your a**. Everybody hates you now. Everybody hates Israel because of this."
