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Trump: ‘We fought very well with Israel’

The U.S. president heaped praise on the PM, saying Netanyahu should be given more credit.

Trump G7
U.S. President Donald Trump attends the G7 working session II on the Middle East, at the Hotel Royal Evian on the margins of the G7 in Évian-les-Bains, France, June 16, 2026. Credit: Daniel Torok/White House.

“We fought very well with Israel, and we’ve had a great relationship with Israel,” U.S. President Donald Trump said on Friday at Joint Base Andrews in Maryland, referring to the two countries’ military operation against Iran.

“And Bibi Netanyahu, he’s a warrior prime minister. And he should be acknowledged as that. They should give him credit. ... We really fought hard with Israel,” the president added.

Trump spoke during a presentation of the temporary Air Force One, given to the White House by Qatar. The permanent presidential Boeings are slated for delivery in 2027 and 2028.

Tensions between Jerusalem and Washington have risen after the latter signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the Iran last week, stipulating an immediate truce in Lebanon, as well as a potential withdrawal of Israeli forces from Lebanese territory.

Israeli officials have said such a withdrawal would harm the country’s security, enabling the Iranian-backed proxy Hezbollah to rebuild its strength after close to three years of war that has dramatically degraded its capabilities.

Oil prices surged after U.S. forces reportedly struck Iran’s Qeshm Island in the Persian Gulf.
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