Trump: Israel could fight alone if war with Iran resumes

US President Donald Trump said on Monday (8 June) he had warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that if Israel resumes its war with Iran, it would likely have to fight alone. In a telephone interview with the US online media outlet Axios, Trump claimed that Israel gave us very late notice regarding the strikes on Sunday (7 June). They had already begun to carry out the attack. But, in the end, I limited it, Trump said. Trump telephoned Netanyahu on Sunday evening local time and asked him not to launch retaliatory strikes, according to the Axios report, citing an unnamed US official. During the telephone conversation, Trump reportedly stated that he would reach a deal with Iran in the coming days, which would render the strikes unnecessary. Alternatively, he added, a deal with Iran would not be reached, and if that happened, Trump would lead an attack against Iran, according to an Israeli source familiar with the call. Later on Monday, Netanyahu informed the White House that Israel would resume strikes whenever necessary. Iran and Israel indicated a halt to attacks against one another on Monday following a series of reciprocal strikes since Sunday evening, marking the most serious escalation since the April ceasefire agreement.