JERUSALEM: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has ruled out the possibility of a diplomatic agreement with Iran, describing the country’s leadership as “savages” while expressing strong support for US President Donald Trump’s renewed economic pressure campaign against Tehran.
Speaking at an event late Tuesday in an Israeli settlement in the occupied West Bank, Netanyahu said he and Trump had recently discussed the prospects of diplomacy with Iran but expressed doubt that negotiations could produce an agreement.
“I doubt, however, that an agreement can be reached with that group there, with those savages,” Netanyahu said, insisting that “an agreement cannot be reached.”
Netanyahu has long opposed diplomatic engagement with Iran and campaigned against the 2015 nuclear agreement negotiated under former US President Barack Obama. However, he has avoided publicly criticising Trump as Washington pursued the possibility of a negotiated settlement with Tehran.
Trump joined Israel in a joint attack on Iran in late February but agreed to a ceasefire in April amid growing opposition in the United States and concerns over the conflict’s impact on global oil prices.
On Monday, Trump announced what he called “economic D-Day” against Iran, signalling an intensified campaign aimed at weakening the Iranian economy, which has already faced years of US sanctions.
While Trump has expressed frustration over Tehran’s refusal to accept his demands, he has also shown reluctance to return to a full-scale war with Iran.
Netanyahu welcomed the latest economic measures, saying he had discussed the approach with Trump and supported what he described as a “third option” between diplomacy and full-scale military action.
He praised Trump for pursuing the economic pressure campaign “in a very, very, very strong way,” particularly the decision to target countries and entities assisting the Iranian government.
“Tightening the siege on those who assist this regime, this terrible dictatorship, is very important,” Netanyahu said.
The Israeli prime minister has for years advocated stronger US action against Iran, whose Shiite clerical government supports armed groups including Hezbollah and Hamas. Hamas led the October 7, 2023 attack on Israel, which triggered the ongoing regional conflict.
