Israel's latest strikes on Lebanon and Iran have highlighted differences between U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who started the war together, according to the Associated Press. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Associated Press.
Trump had publicly warned Israel not to strike Beirut in its war with Iran-backed Hezbollah militants. When it did, on Sunday, Iran responded by firing ballistic missiles at Israel for the first time since the April ceasefire. Israel then struck Iran, with which Trump has been engaged in weeks of high-stakes negotiations.
The fighting has since died down, but the differences between the two leaders are likely to persist. Trump, whose party faces elections later this year, wants to wind down an unpopular war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz to ease gas prices. Iran says a full ceasefire in Lebanon is key to any deal. Netanyahu, who also faces elections this year, is under pressure to stop Hezbollah's attacks and prove that he is winning the war with Iran and its allies. He also needs to manage relations with Israel's most important ally without appearing to kowtow to it.
When the United States and Israel attacked Iran on Feb. 28, the allies appeared shoulder to shoulder. Netanyahu said the goal was to degrade the Islamic Republic's military, eradicate its nuclear and ballistic missile programs, and topple its government. Trump announced the death of Iran's supreme leader in the opening barrage and urged Iranians to "take back" their country. But it soon became clear that the two leaders want different things.