Netanyahu says America has ‘no greater ally’ than Israel, reflects on Trump relationship
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speaks exclusively with Jacqui Heinrich about the enduring U.S.-Israel alliance. Netanyahu highlights shared values and common goals with the U.S., particularly regarding Iran's nuclear ambitions. He also expresses concern over increasing antisemitic sentiments among younger Americans, emphasizing the historical solidarity between the two nations.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu denied a rift with President Donald Trump while drawing a hard line on Iran as Washington pursues a broader nuclear agreement with Tehran.
Netanyahu said Israel and the U.S. shared the same goal on Iran, even as Trump pressed ahead with talks that have drawn criticism from some Israeli officials.
"But I can tell you this, deal or no deal, as long as I’m prime minister, Iran will not have a nuclear weapon," Netanyahu told host Jacqui Heinrich on "The Sunday Briefing."
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel and the U.S. remained aligned on Iran despite recent questions about tensions with President Donald Trump. (Salwan Georges/Bloomberg via Getty Images; IIPA via Getty Images)
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Asked whether his relationship with Trump had frayed over Iran, Netanyahu said any disagreements between the allies were being handled directly.
"I don’t think there’s a rift," Netanyahu said. "I think America has no greater ally than Israel, and Israel has no greater ally than the United States."
Netanyahu said Trump acts in U.S. interests while he acts in Israel's interests, but argued the two leaders usually align.
Netanyahu said "deal or no deal," Iran would not obtain a nuclear weapon as long as he remained Israel’s prime minister. (Getty Images)
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"President Trump is the leader of the United States. He does what’s good for America. I am the leader of Israel, the one and only Jewish state. I do what’s good for Israel," Netanyahu said. "Ninety-nine percent of the time we see eye-to-eye."
Heinrich pressed Netanyahu on Trump's comments to Axios that the Israeli leader "knows who the boss is" and previous comments to the Financial Times saying Netanyahu would have "no choice" but to accept a U.S.-Iran deal.
Netanyahu warned that anti-Israel sentiment in the U.S. was tied to anti-American views and said he was worried about the effect of social media on young Americans. (CBS/60Minutes)
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Netanyahu said Washington and Jerusalem still had the same strategic objective.
"We want to see Iran give up its nuclear weapons program," Netanyahu said. "We want to see the nuclear-enriched material removed. We want to see the enrichment sites for nuclear materials dismantled."
When asked whether he was comfortable with talks extending past an August deadline, Netanyahu said he would judge the outcome only once negotiations conclude.
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"I would say it’s not over. I would judge it when it’s over," Netanyahu said.
Netanyahu also responded to Vice President JD Vance, who warned Israeli officials not to attack Trump over the Iran deal, saying the U.S. was the "only powerful ally" Israel has left.
"First of all, I respect JD Vance. We have a very good relationship, but it doesn’t mean that I agree with everything that he says," Netanyahu said.
Netanyahu responded to Vice President JD Vance, who warned Israeli officials not to attack Trump over the Iran deal, saying the U.S. was the "only powerful ally" Israel has left. (Urs Flueeler, Pool Photo via AP)
Netanyahu said Trump remained Israel's strongest supporter in the White House.
"Donald Trump is a great, the greatest friend we’ve ever had in the White House, and I stand by that completely," Netanyahu said.
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Fox News Digital reached out to the White House for comment, but did not immediately hear back.