Trump Irked After Netanyahu Publicly Raises Iran Nuclear Site

US President Donald Trump has expressed irritation after his ally, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, publicly raised the issue of Iran’s underground nuclear facilities. Trump lamented Netanyahu’s remarks, suggesting the Israeli leader should have discussed concerns about Iran’s Pickaxe mountain facility privately rather than airing them in public.

“I heard Bibi announce it. I said, ‘Why didn’t you tell me directly? Why did you have to announce it to the world?’” Trump said during an interview with Fox News. He assessed that Netanyahu highlighted the nuclear facility in an attempt to persuade the US to remain engaged in conflict with Iran, claiming Washington was already fully aware of developments at the site.

“No, I don’t need Bibi to tell me about that. Bibi said that because he wants me to stay involved,” Trump stated. He added that while the US military had already destroyed much of Iran’s military infrastructure, the Pickaxe facility remained a target. “We have to take out Pickaxe if we don’t reach a deal… we will take it out very easily,” he asserted.

Israel subsequently pushed back against Trump’s anger. Tel Aviv denied accusations that Netanyahu was attempting to dictate US foreign policy direction, particularly regarding Iran, claiming the close allies share aligned views. “The claim that Israel is pressuring the US to take specific steps on the Iran issue is false,” said PM Communications Director Tzipi Hotovely. “The Prime Minister is not dictating to the US President what to do, nor pushing him towards a particular policy. Both sides want to prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. There are many ways to achieve this goal.”