Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dismissed claims that he influences US President Donald Trump or that he follows Trump’s instructions. Speaking at the JNS summit in Jerusalem, Netanyahu said Israel and the United States are independent countries whose leaders act according to their own national interests.
He said his main responsibility is to protect Israel’s security and interests. While he and Trump often agree on important issues, he noted that they do not always share the same views. However, both leaders respect each other’s sovereignty and leadership.
“In the United States, they say that President Trump does everything that I ask him to do. And in Israel, they say that I do everything he wants me to do. Well, neither is true. We’re leaders of independent and proud countries. We stand for our interests. I stand for the interests of Israel, and for its security. Often we see eye to eye. Sometimes we don’t. But we respect each other’s sovereignty and leadership and commitment to our people,” Netanyahu mentioned, according to ANI.
‘We Shattered Iran’s Terror Axis’
Speaking about Israel’s cooperation with the United States, Netanyahu said Israeli forces, alongside the US Air Force and American military, carried out what he described as the largest air operation in Israel’s history.
He claimed the operation caused major damage to Iran’s nuclear infrastructure and capabilities. “Together with our American friends, the American Air Force, and the American military, we carried out the largest air strike in our history. We destroyed Iran’s nuclear infrastructure. But we didn’t just confront Iran. We shattered Iran’s terror axis,” Netanyahu stated.
Israel Will Not Allow Iran to Obtain Nuclear Weapons
Referring to ongoing US-Iran technical talks in Switzerland under a 14-point memorandum of understanding (MoU), Netanyahu said Israel’s position on Iran’s nuclear programme would not change regardless of the outcome of the negotiations.
“I said, no matter what happens in the talks, with an agreement or without an agreement, I pledge to you that Iran, as long as I am Prime Minister of Israel, will never have a nuclear weapon. Never. As long as I am the prime minister of Israel, I will not let that happen,” he said.
Netanyahu Reaffirms Position on Southern Lebanon
Netanyahu also repeated Israel’s commitment to maintaining a military presence in southern Lebanon, saying it is necessary to protect Israeli citizens. “And I said something else about Lebanon, and I repeat it here a few minutes ago, as long as we need to protect our people, we will remain in the security zone in South Lebanon. And the reason is perfectly understood. No country would be asked to do otherwise,” Israel PM further said.
He stressed that Israel’s conflict is with the Iran-backed Hezbollah group rather than the Lebanese state. Netanyahu said he hopes peace with Lebanon could become possible if Hezbollah no longer poses a security threat.
Hope for Peace With Lebanon
His comments came after the first round of US-Iran technical negotiations in Switzerland concluded. The discussions focused on maintaining the ceasefire in Lebanon, keeping the Strait of Hormuz open for international shipping, and advancing talks on a possible nuclear agreement. “We do everything in our power to protect our people. We don’t have a war with Lebanon. We have a war with Hezbollah who terrorises Lebanon and seeks our destruction. And when that proxy of Iran is no longer a threat, whether it’s dismantled or disarmed, yes, we’ll have peace with Lebanon and I look forward to signing it,” Netanyahu said.
Earlier, while speaking at a memorial event marking the 50th anniversary of the death of his brother, Yoni Netanyahu, the Israeli Prime Minister reiterated that Israel remains committed to preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons and will continue military operations aimed at countering Hezbollah’s presence in southern Lebanon.
First published on: Jun 22, 2026 08:03 AM IST
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