Netanyahu and Trump to Discuss 'Iran Threat' Over Phone

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced during his weekly cabinet meeting that he will have a phone conversation with newly elected U.S. President Donald Trump on Sunday, February 22, regarding 'very important issues on the agenda of both governments, including the 'Iran threat.' According to Israeli media, Netanyahu stated that this will be his first phone call after Trump's inauguration, marking the beginning of increased cooperation between the two countries. The Israeli Prime Minister mentioned that he would also discuss issues related to the Palestinians and Syria during the call with Trump. Netanyahu noted, 'With the start of President Trump's term, a new era for Israel and for cooperation with America has begun.' Just before the U.S. presidential elections, Netanyahu met Trump on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly in New York and expressed 'encouragement' about Trump's 'strong support' for Israel's positions. On Saturday evening, February 21, the YouTube channel of the Israeli Prime Minister's Office published a special message from Netanyahu 'to the people of Iran.' In this 'special message' for the Iranian people, the Israeli Prime Minister emphasized friendship and the absence of animosity between Israel and the Iranian nation and country, praising Iran's rich history and culture, stating that Israel has always distinguished the Iranian people from the ruling regime in Iran. Netanyahu also told the Iranian people that the Iranian regime gives your money to people like Bashar al-Assad, and that young Iranians are suffering and unemployed, even facing restrictions on fully free access to the internet. The Jerusalem Post reported on Sunday, February 22, that Netanyahu's message indicates that the 'Iran file' has once again become a priority for the Prime Minister after a period of pause. According to the Jerusalem Post, Netanyahu is seizing the opportunity of the new U.S. presidency to reiterate his dissatisfaction with the JCPOA and the necessity of presenting further demands regarding Iran. The Israeli government and Donald Trump had labeled the JCPOA as 'the worst deal,' but in his last speech at the UN General Assembly earlier this fall, Netanyahu stated that closely monitoring Iran's compliance with its commitments is on the agenda. Haaretz reported on Friday, February 21, that Israeli intelligence agencies believe the JCPOA has also been beneficial for Israel and that its cancellation is not correct; rather, Iran should be 'contained' through other agreements in cooperation with the U.S. Simultaneously, Haaretz wrote on Sunday, February 22, in an article that Trump 'wants to take action against Iran,' but his statements prioritizing all matters over the U.S. could lead to a reduction in American influence in crises like the Middle East. Haaretz noted on February 22 that Iran's increasing influence in Syria, as a result of six years of Iranian intervention alongside Bashar al-Assad, poses a danger to Israel. According to Haaretz, Israel and the U.S. must compel Iran to change its policies towards the region so that it does not harbor ambitions to attack Israel from Syria. In this context, a special meeting in Israel regarding the promise to move the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem was held, and the Israeli Prime Minister released a video message to the people of Iran. Haaretz reported warnings from some Israeli security officials about the consequences of canceling the JCPOA.