From the Liveblog of
Monday, March 23, 2026
Netanyahu says Trump updated him on new opportunity for Iran deal that ‘protects our interests’
Add ToI as a Preferred Source on GoogleLazar Berman is The Times of Israel's diplomatic reporter
In his first remarks since US President Donald Trump announced he was holding talks with Iran about ending the war, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says that Israel “will protect our vital interests in every situation.”
In an upbeat video statement, issued some seven hours after Trump’s announcement, Netanyahu says he spoke with “our friend” Trump in a phone call today.
Earlier today I spoke with our friend President Trump.
President Trump believes there is an opportunity to leverage the tremendous achievements we have reached alongside the US military to realize the goals of the war through an agreement that will safeguard our vital interests. pic.twitter.com/15Z7fRvvQX
— Prime Minister of Israel (@IsraeliPM) March 23, 2026
Trump, he says, “believes that there is a chance to leverage the massive achievements of the IDF and the US military in order to achieve the goals of the war through an agreement — an agreement that protects our vital interests.”
At the same time, Netanyahu stresses, Israel “is continuing to strike, in Iran and in Lebanon.”
“We are crushing the missile program and the nuclear program, and continuing to strike Hezbollah hard,” he says. “Only days ago, we eliminated two more nuclear scientists, and our arm is still outstretched.”
The Times of Israel Community.