Netanyahu declares ‘I’m alive’ before addressing Trump rift over Iran gas field attack | News World

Benjamin Netanyahu denied dragging the US into war with Iran and set out Israel’s three goals for the conflict last night – but not before bashing the ‘fake news’ of his demise.

The prime minister opened his 45-minute press conference last night with the words: ‘Initially, I just need to say – I’m alive, and you’re all witnesses.

‘Now that I despatch this piece of pretend news, I would like to present you an update on Operation Roaring Lion.’

The pointed remarks come days after the Israeli leader posted a video of himself getting a coffee to try to dispel rumours that he was dead.

Those stories stemmed from a video posted by the Israeli government which some social media users claimed showed Netanyahu with six fingers on one hand – a giveaway clue of AI content.

After dispelling them once more, Netanyahu quickly turned his attention to the war in Iran.

‘Trump is the leader – we get along great’

He addressed the apparent split that has emerged in his partnership with US President Donald Trump since Israel’s strike on the South Pars gas field – the world’s biggest and an energy lifeline for Iran.

The attack prompted Iran to retaliate against energy infrastructure in other Middle East countries, sending global energy prices spiralling even further.

It left Trump and Netanyahu facing questions on whether or not they’re entirely in sync in prosecuting the war that began as a closely coordinated joint attack on the longtime regional foe.

Trump, during an Oval Office meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, told reporters that he neither agreed with nor approved of Israel’s attack.

‘I told him, “Don’t try this”,’ Trump said of Netanyahu’s decision to strike.

‘We get along great. It’s coordinated, but every so often he’ll do something. And if I don’t prefer it — and so we’re not doing that anymore.’

Netanyahu said Israel ‘acted alone’ and that he’s agreed to Trump’s request that Israel hold off on any further attack on Iran’s giant gas field.

The prime minister also sought to downplay any space between him and Trump.

‘It’s been said that for 40 years I’ve been saying that Iran is a danger to Israel and a danger to the world. That’s true,’ he said.

‘ who else said that? President Trump.’

Netanyahu later added: ‘Look, I don’t think any two leaders have been as coordinated as President Trump and I. He’s the leader. I’m his ally. America is the leader.

‘Does anyone really think that somebody can tell President Trump what to do?’

Israel’s three goals for Iran war

The Israeli leader also set out his three goals for the war in Iran: ‘One, removing the nuclear threat. 

‘Second, removing the ballistic missile threat, and removing each of those threats before they’re buried deep underground and develop into immune from aerial attack.

‘And third, this implies creating the conditions for the Iranian people to know their freedom, to manage their destiny.’

Air strikes alone not enough to bring about regime change

Netanyahu said Iran is ‘weaker than ever’ three weeks into the war, but that it continues to be too soon to inform whether Iranians would take to the streets to attempt to overthrow their government.

‘It’s as much as the Iranian people to point out that, to decide on the ⁠moment and ​to rise to the moment,’ he said.

The Israeli PM said air strikes alone wouldn’t topple the regime, and suggested boots on the bottom could also be required to complete the job.

‘There must be a ground component as well, he said. ‘There are various possibilities for this ground component, and I ​take the freedom of not sharing with you all those possibilities.’

Get in contact with our news team by emailing us at webnews@metro.co.uk.

For more stories like this, check our news page.

MORE: Trump makes terrible Pearl Harbour joke in front of Japanese prime minister

MORE: Danish military stockpiled blood to treat injuries if US invaded

MORE: Israeli airstrike lands perilously near journalist during report back to camera