Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told US President Donald Trump that Israel must retain complete freedom to carry out military operations against threats across the region, including in Lebanon, 24NewsHD TV reported on Sunday.
The remarks came during a telephone conversation between the two leaders at a time when Washington and Tehran are reportedly engaged in negotiations aimed at easing regional tensions and reaching a possible diplomatic understanding.
According to a report by a global news agency, Netanyahu stressed that Israel would continue to act independently on security matters and maintain operational freedom on all fronts.
The discussion took place amid growing speculation about a possible agreement between the United States and Iran that could help reduce tensions in the Gulf region and reopen the strategically important Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil and trade route affected by the ongoing conflict.
President Trump said the United States and Iran were close to reaching a memorandum of understanding, according to reports.
Iranian media said the proposed framework could include commitments that the United States and its allies would refrain from attacking Iran or its regional partners, while Tehran would also avoid pre-emptive military action.
Within Israel, however, the possibility of such an agreement has reportedly triggered political debate.
Israeli politician Benny Gantz described the ceasefire in Lebanon as a major strategic mistake, according to Israeli media reports.
Israeli sources also said President Trump continued to maintain a hardline stance on dismantling Iran’s nuclear programme and removing enriched uranium capabilities.
Netanyahu reiterated that Israel’s ability to respond militarily to threats, particularly from Lebanon and other regional fronts, must remain unrestricted, while Trump reportedly voiced support for Israel’s position.
AFP adds:
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said on Sunday he and US President Donald Trump had agreed that any final deal with Iran must fully end the Islamic republic's "nuclear threat".
Netanyahu was referring to a conversation between the two leaders on Saturday night, which Trump had earlier said "went very well".
"President Trump and I agreed that any final agreement with Iran must eliminate the nuclear threat entirely. This means dismantling Iran's uranium enrichment facilities and removing enriched nuclear material from its territory," Netanyahu said in a statement.
"My policy, like that of President Trump, remains unchanged: Iran will not obtain nuclear weapons," he added.
Netanyahu said the two also discussed the memorandum of understanding on the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
"The partnership between our two nations has been proven on the battlefield, and it has never been stronger," the Israeli leader said, adding that Trump had reaffirmed his support for Israel's right to defend itself against threats on all fronts, "including in Lebanon".