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On Thursday, President Donald Trump announced that he had spoken with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, urging him to halt attacks on Iran’s oil fields. This conflict had led to a sharp rise in fuel prices.
While in the Oval Office, Trump was questioned about a conversation with Netanyahu following a lengthy post he made on Truth Social the previous night. In the post, he criticized the escalating tensions in the conflict involving Iran.
The tension intensified after an Israeli strike ignited the South Pars gas field, prompting Iran to retaliate against Gulf nations, including an attack on a Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) plant in Qatar.
Trump confirmed, “Yes, I spoke with him,” referring to Netanyahu. “I advised them not to proceed with that action, and he agreed not to.”
The President further explained, “Although our discussions are independent, we maintain a great relationship. Sometimes actions are taken that I disagree with, and in those instances, we coordinate to avoid repeating them.”
The Iran war already has Americans feeling pain at the pump, with gas prices up to $3.90 a gallon nationally, compared to the $2.90 a gallon it was costing before the strikes began on February 28.
In his Truth Social post, Trump said the US ‘knew nothing’ about Israel’s plans to hit South Pars, though threatened to ‘massively blow up’ the whole oil field if Iran were to retaliate again.
‘I do not want to authorize this level of violence and destruction because of the long-term implications that it will have on the future of Iran, but if Qatar’s LNG is again attacked, I will not hesitate to do so,’ Trump warned.
President Donald Trump (left) told reporters Thursday that he had spoken to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (right) and told him to stop attacking Iranian oil fields
Smoke and flames rise from the South Pars gas field following an Israeli strike, as seen through the window of a moving vehicle. The strike represented a major escalation in the war and angered the US’s European and Middle Eastern allies
Allies in both the Middle East and Europe were left furious over Israel’s move, with French President Emmanuel Macron calling the move ‘reckless.’
The leaders of the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands, Japan and Canada also slammed Iran on Thursday for attacking ships in the Strait of Hormuz.
‘We express our readiness to contribute to appropriate efforts to ensure safe passage through the Strait. We welcome the commitment of nations who are engaging in preparatory planning,’ the joint statement read.
Trump has raged against NATO – of which the UK, France, Germany, Italy, the Netherlands and Canada are members – for not immediately offering to assist in protecting commercial ships from Iranian attacks in the Strait of Hormuz – a major global shipping lane.
His Oval Office meeting on Thursday was with Japanese Prime Minister Sanae Takaichi, a political ally, who told the President that she believed, despite the current Iranian conflict, which Trump signed off on, only he could ‘achieve peace across the world.’
During their sit-down, Trump praised Japan’s apparent willingness to help patrol the Strait of Hormuz.
‘We’ve had tremendous support and relationship with Japan on everything, and I believe that based on statements that were given to us yesterday, the day before yesterday, having to do with Japan, they are really stepping up to the plate.’
‘Unlike NATO,’ the President added.
President Donald Trump (right) hosted Japanese Prime Minister Takaichi (left) in the Oval Office on Thursday where the Iran war was much discussed
He also complained of NATO: ‘They don’t want to help us defend the Strait, and they’re the ones that need it.
‘But now they’re getting much nicer, because they’re seeing my attitude,’ he continued. ‘But it’s, as far as I’m concerned, it’s too late.’
Trump’s February 28 decision to strike Iran has left some world leaders bewildered, as allies weren’t informed of those plans ahead of time.
In the Oval Office, a Japanese reporter asked the President why he left allies, like Japan, in the dark.
To that, Trump gave a shocking response.
‘You don’t want to signal too much… we wanted surprise,’ Trump answered in the Oval Office.
‘Who knows better about surprise than Japan?’ he said. ‘Why didn’t you tell me about Pearl Harbor!’
The Japanese attacked the Americans on December 7, 1941, at a naval base in Pearl Harbor in Hawaii, which brought the US into World War II.