Trump says decision to end Iran war will be made jointly with Israel

2026-03-09 - 05:12

President Donald Trump revealed Sunday that any decision to end the ongoing US-Israeli military campaign against Iran will be made in coordination with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In a phone interview with the Times of Israel, Trump responded affirmatively when asked if Netanyahu would have a say in ending the war, stating "I think it's mutual...a little bit. We've been talking. I'll make a decision at the right time, but everything's going to be taken into account." Timeline uncertainty persists When questioned about the possibility of Israel continuing attacks after the US halts its strikes, Trump dismissed the scenario, saying "I don't think it's going to be necessary." The remarks come as the White House's earlier projection of a four-to-six-week conflict appears increasingly uncertain, with Trump consistently refusing to specify a timeline for military operations. The campaign, now in its second week, has already claimed more than 1,200 Iranian lives including Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, over 150 schoolgirls, and senior military officials. Iran's new leadership faces US pressure In a separate interview with ABC News, Trump addressed the selection of Mojtaba Khamenei as Iran's new supreme leader, warning that the successor to his father "is not going to last long" without American approval. "He's going to have to get approval from us. If he doesn't get approval from us, he's not going to last long," Trump stated, adding "We want to make sure that we don't have to go back every 10 years, when you don't have a president like me that's not going to do it." Conflict expands with Iranian retaliation Tehran has responded to the US-Israeli offensive with sweeping barrages targeting American bases, diplomatic facilities, and military personnel across the region, as well as multiple Israeli cities. At least six US service members have been killed in the retaliatory strikes. Reports indicate Iran has escalated its response by firing missiles laden with cluster munitions at Israeli targets. The newly appointed Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei has already received backing from Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, signaling continuity in Tehran's confrontational posture despite the leadership transition.