Trump Says Decision to End War with Iran Will Be Made Jointly with Netanyahu

Former US President Donald Trump has stated that any decision to conclude the ongoing conflict with Iran would be made in consultation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

In a phone interview, Trump was asked whether he would make the decision to end the war unilaterally or if Netanyahu would also have a say. He responded, "I think it's a mutual decision... To an extent. We communicate. I'll make the decision at the right moment, but everything will be taken into account."

Trump framed the military action as a joint defensive effort, claiming, "Iran was going to destroy Israel and everything associated with it... We worked together. We destroyed a country that wanted to destroy Israel." He further asserted that had he and Netanyahu not been in power, Iran would have succeeded in its alleged goal of annihilating Israel.

The remarks come amid continued hostilities. The United States and Israel began striking targets within Iran, including in Tehran, on February 28. Iran has been conducting retaliatory strikes against Israeli territory and US military assets in the Middle East.

Earlier on Friday, White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt indicated that Washington anticipates the war in the Middle East could last another four to six weeks.