Netanyahu says not seeking Iran war as U.S. faces deadline
"I trust his [Trump's] judgment," Netanyahu told Fox News' "Fox & Friends" program, a show Trump has frequently praised. "He'll do the right thing."
By REUTERSUpdated: MAY 1, 2018 15:48Prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks during a news conference at the Ministry of Defence in Tel Aviv, Israel, April 30, 2018(photo credit: REUTERS/AMIR COHEN)
WASHINGTON - Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Tuesday Israel was not seeking war with Iran, one day after unveiling what he said was evidence of a secret Iranian nuclear weapons program.Israel claims proof Iran "lied" about past nuclear program, April 30, 2018 (ReutersNetanyahu made his case as US President Donald Trump considers whether to withdraw the United States from a 2015 deal between Iran and six major powers aimed at limiting Iran's nuclear program.Both Netanyahu and Trump have long criticized the agreement and in several US television interviews on Tuesday, Netanyahu made his points directly to the American people. Trump himself is known to watch and tweet his reactions to early morning American programs.Asked if Israel is prepared to go to war against Iran over the issue, Netanyahu told CNN: "Nobody's seeking that kind of development. Iran is the one that's changing the rules in the region."Iran, which has always said its nuclear program was for strictly peaceful means, dismissed Netanyahu's presentation on Monday as propaganda.Trump faces a May 12 deadline to decide whether to pull the United States out of the 2015 agreement, which offered Tehran relief from international sanctions in exchange for curbs on its nuclear program."I trust his judgment," Netanyahu told Fox News' "Fox & Friends" program, a show Trump has frequently praised. "He'll do the right thing."Netanyahu said the nuclear deal would need "a major overhaul," but that Trump would have to make that decision.The prime minister also echoed Trump's book "The Art of the Deal.""This regime had a secret nuclear weapons program and they're trying under a very bad deal to get a nuclear arsenal. They shouldn't get it," he told Fox, adding: "It really needs a new deal."
