Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump recently had a phone call where they agreed to maintain coordination on various matters between their countries. During the call, Trump updated Netanyahu on US activities in the Gulf, although specifics were not provided. Netanyahu also expressed concerns about remarks made by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan and his associates regarding Israel.
Netanyahu’s office did not specify the exact nature of Erdogan’s comments, but Israeli officials have criticized Erdogan for accusing Israel of interfering with US-Iran relations and labeling its government as “war-addicted.” Israel has also shown unease over a potential US sale of F-35 fighter jets to Turkey. The phone conversation occurred amidst heightened tensions between the US and Iran, with both sides engaging in recent attacks.
In response to reported Iranian assaults on commercial ships in the Strait of Hormuz, the US conducted strikes on Iranian targets, resulting in casualties and damage to infrastructure. Iran retaliated by launching missile and drone attacks on US military installations in Kuwait, Bahrain, Qatar, and Jordan. Israel’s military leaders, including Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir and Defence Minister Israel Katz, emphasized readiness to act swiftly in light of unfolding events in Iran and Lebanon.
Moreover, Defence Minister Israel Katz affirmed that Israeli forces would continue their presence in Lebanon until Hezbollah is completely disarmed. Katz asserted that Israel did not seek permission to enter Lebanon and maintained the right to stay there without external approval.
