Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and U.S. President-elect Donald Trump have reaffirmed their shared stance on the security risks posed by Iran.
Netanyahu revealed these discussions took place three times in the days following Trump’s election win. He described the talks as “good and very important,” highlighting the leaders’ “eye-to-eye” view of Iran as a shared threat.
Netanyahu was one of the first world leaders to congratulate Trump on his victory, just as he did with President Joe Biden in 2020. Although only one phone call between Netanyahu and Trump was publicly acknowledged initially, Netanyahu revealed two additional conversations over the weekend.
“These were very good and important conversations. We see eye to eye on the Iranian threat in all its components, and the danger it poses. We also see the great opportunities that Israel faces, in the field of peace and its expansion, and in other areas,” Netanyahu stated.
The Prime Minister underscored the mutual understanding and alliance on the geopolitical challenges posed by Iran, especially concerning Iran’s regional influence and nuclear ambitions.
A senior Israeli official further disclosed to Axios that Minister of Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer will be sent to Mar-a-Lago to discuss Israel’s priorities with Trump’s incoming team.
Trump’s well-known stance on Iran has shaped much of his foreign policy approach. Iranian leaders have openly expressed hostility toward him. Notably since the 2020 U.S. airstrike that resulted in the death of Iranian General Qassem Soleimani, a high-ranking Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps commander. Tehran has signaled its desire for retaliation, adding urgency to Israel and the U.S.’s focus on security cooperation.
As Trump prepares to take office in January, he faces conflicts in Gaza and Lebanon, which have escalated to levels not seen since Israel’s 1948 Independence War.
Trump’s approach to the conflict remains somewhat ambiguous. However, he has stressed the need for swift resolutions to reduce global criticism of Israel. “Israel has to handle their public relations, their public relations are not good,” Trump said in a July interview, urging Israel to act quickly to end the conflict in Gaza.
Alongside Netanyahu, Trump has maintained open communication with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas. His outreach to both Israeli and Palestinian leaders reflects his strategy of diplomatic balance in the region. However, his statements hint at a more forceful approach than his predecessor’s, with a focus on rapid action to restore stability.
Netanyahu’s recent remarks also touched on rising concerns over antisemitism in Europe, noting that recent violence against Israeli citizens in Amsterdam follows a trend of increased antisemitic sentiment.
He drew a parallel between violent incidents on Dutch streets and the ongoing investigations into Israel by international judicial bodies. “We will never allow the horrors of history to repeat themselves. We will never surrender—neither to antisemitism nor to terrorism,” Netanyahu asserted, adding that every government should take decisive action against antisemitic violence.
Trump and Netanyahu solidified their understanding of the Iranian threat and regional security issues.