In a series of startling and blunt admissions, US President Donald Trump claimed that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is "crazy," that Israel is universally disliked due to his mistakes, and that Netanyahu would currently be in prison had it not been for his own intervention. Trump’s outburst was triggered by unacceptable Israeli plans to escalate attacks in Lebanon, thereby violating the ceasefire between the US and Iran. However, the American President also offered a glimpse of progress, predicting an agreement with Iran by next week. He emphasized his preference for a "good deal" over winning the war, indirectly acknowledging that the Americans have not achieved victory—a admission that, while delayed, Trump finally made. Meanwhile, tensions have surged as the IRGC launched a cruise missile strike against the US ship MSC Sariska in retaliation for recent military actions.
Trump: The US-Iran Memorandum of Understanding could be finalized next week
The United States and Iran may finalize a memorandum of understanding by next week, President Trump emphasized. "I think we are talking about next week," he told ABC News during a phone interview when asked about the timeline for the agreement. The American leader added, however, that he did not approve the previous version of the document because he expects "several more points" to be included in the final text of the Memorandum of Understanding.
An incredible admission from Trump: A good deal is better than winning a war
A peace agreement with Iran could be even better than a military victory, Trump stressed, implicitly acknowledging that the US does not feel particularly victorious. "There was a small problem—the Iranians were upset about Israel's attacks in Lebanon. So I spoke to Hezbollah and said don't shoot, and I spoke to Netanyahu and said don't shoot, and they both stopped shooting at each other," he explained. "It’s not easy," he said. "You’re talking about a really big country that wants to make a deal. There is terrible hostility, really. So it’s not easy for them. It’s not easy from our perspective, actually. But we are getting what we need."
Axios: An enraged Trump attacked Netanyahu with insults: "You are crazy, everyone hates Israel, you would be in prison now"
During a phone call with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, President Trump reportedly used obscene language and insults to criticize the Israeli Prime Minister's actions in the Middle East, according to the American media outlet Axios. Trump called Netanyahu crazy and reminded him of his past support: "If it weren't for me, you would be in prison. Now everyone hates you. That’s why everyone hates Israel," the American President emphasized. The US leader stated plainly that he helped Netanyahu avoid imprisonment for corruption and predicted Israel's further international isolation as a result of the attacks in Lebanon. A second source familiar with the call said Trump was "angry" and at one point shouted at Netanyahu, "What are you doing wrong?" One official stated the call was one of the worst Trump has had since returning to the presidency. Trump’s anger appears to stem from the fact that Netanyahu’s decision to escalate tensions in Lebanon brought his negotiations with Iran to the brink of collapse.
Chuck Schumer (Democratic Senator): End the war with Iran once and for all
Democratic Senator Chuck Schumer once again criticized President Trump’s war against Iran, warning that the delay in finding a solution to end the conflict directly harms members of the US armed forces and working families. "Trump says he is 'not in a hurry' to end the war in Iran. Not in a hurry? Tell that to our troops who are in danger. Tell that to their families. Tell that to the Americans who are being crushed by record-high gas prices at the pump," Schumer said. "We will not stop fighting to end this war once and for all," the Democratic senator pointed out.
Ebrahim Azizi (Iran): Serious consequences for the US and Israel if the attack on Lebanon does not stop
A senior Iranian official issued a warning regarding consequences for Israel and the US if attacks on Lebanon continue. Ebrahim Azizi, head of the Iranian parliament's national security committee, joined other top officials in Tehran who are publicly warning of severe repercussions for Israel and American forces in the region if Israeli attacks against Lebanon are not halted. "If the attacks against Lebanon do not stop completely, the consequences will be severe for the Zionist regime and American forces in the region. They know very well that this is not an empty threat and we are prepared for a military response," Azizi said.
The IRGC struck the US-Israeli cargo ship MSC Sariska with a missile in retaliation for the Iranian Lian Star
The Navy of Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) struck the giant cargo ship MSC Sariska, which is linked to American and Israeli interests, with a cruise missile in a retaliatory operation following a US attack on an Iranian merchant ship in the Sea of Oman. The attack was a direct response to the "aggressive and treacherous attack" by the American military on the Iranian bulk carrier Lian Star. "In response to the aggressive attack by the terrorist and child-killing American military on the Iranian ship Lian Star in the Sea of Oman, the Navy of the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) conducted a retaliatory operation and struck the MSC Sariska with a cruise missile," the statement reported by Sepah News said. The MSC Sariska, a Panama-flagged ship, was targeted near Iraqi waters and suffered a powerful explosion. The IRGC Navy warned that any further aggression by the American military in the region will be met with a decisive response.
www.bankingnews.gr
Readers’ Comments