Israel and the United States still have “some differences” to resolve over how to end the war with Iranthe Israeli ambassador in Washington told CNNwhile President Donald Trump suggested he would declare “total victory” in two weeks.
“We have very aligned interests. And here and there, there are some differences of opinion that need to be resolved”, declared Ambassador Yechiel (Michael) Leiter to journalist Kaitlan Collins, from CNN.
Asked if Israel believes a deal to end the war could, as Trump suggested on Monday, Leiter said it would depend on the specific terms of the deal.
“If we can end this war so that Iran no longer has a nuclear weapons program, no longer has a ballistic missile program capable of holding the world hostage, and no longer supports its allies like the Hamas and Hezbollah…then the war will be won, whether in two weeks or in two hours,” Leiter continued.
Asked about Trump’s recent statement that the Israeli prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahuand would have to accept any deal the US struck with Iran, the ambassador agreed, albeit reluctantly, but added that “there is a great relationship between the president and the prime minister.”
“We entered this war against Iran together and I think we will finish it together, in tune,” he said.
Trump’s statements about the Israeli leader come after the American president said last week that he was “upset” with Netanyahu over Israel’s plans for military operations in Israel. Lebanonas the United States worked to reach a peace agreement with Iran.
New attacks
Iran and Israel announced on Monday (8) the suspension of mutual attacks following an appeal from United States President Donald Trump to immediately stop shooting.
However, Tehran said it would resume attacks if Israel continued to target Hezbollah in Lebanon.
The wave of attacks that began on Sunday (7) represented the most direct confrontation between the countries since the April ceasefire, threatening to compromise Washington’s efforts to reach an agreement with Tehran and end the war that has lasted more than three months.
Israel attacked Iranian targets after Tehran fired missiles into Israeli territory late on Sunday (7). Tehran said its attacks were in retaliation for Israeli attacks on strongholds of the Iranian-backed Hezbollah group on the outskirts of Beirut.
An Israeli attack hit a petrochemical plant in southwestern Iran that the country said was used to produce ballistic missiles. The IRGC (Iranian Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps) said it retaliated with an attack on a similar Israeli factory in the city of Haifa.
American pressure
In a publication Trum stated, this Monday (8), that Israel and Iran wanted “an immediate ceasefire! The final negotiations on ‘peace’ are underway, subject to ignorance or stupidity getting in the way.”
He added that the American blockade of Iranian ports would remain in place until a final agreement was reached.
An Israeli official said Trump spoke with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu later on Monday.
Earlier, an Israeli military official stated that Israel was prepared to continue operations “as long as necessary” and confirmed attacks on newly rebuilt Iranian air defense systems in addition to the petrochemical target.
Iranian officials struck a similarly defiant tone. A military source cited by the semi-official Tasnim news agency said Tehran was ready for a prolonged conflict and could resume attacks on American interests in the region.
