Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on 13 July voiced support for US President Donald Trump's diplomatic push to negotiate a nuclear agreement with Iran, while also declaring that Israel had matured to a point where it could gradually reduce American military assistance to zero. The remarks, made in a televised interview on NBC News' Meet the Press, come amid active US-Iran negotiations and fresh American strikes against Tehran overnight.

Netanyahu on Iran Talks and Trump's Approach

Speaking on the programme, Netanyahu said he believed Trump was committed to exhausting all diplomatic options — particularly on Iran's nuclear programme — before considering military action. “I think President Trump wants to exhaust the possibility of achieving an agreement, especially on the nuclear issue, through negotiations,” Netanyahu said. He added that Trump “is obviously not shy of using force when the Iranians break every commitment they make, and usually a few hours or a few minutes after they make it.”

Netanyahu said he believed the diplomatic process should be allowed to run its course. “I think we should let the President have his opportunity,” he said. The Israeli prime minister's endorsement of Trump's approach is notable given Israel's historically hawkish stance on Iran's nuclear ambitions.

Trump Claims Iran Agreed to a 'Perfect Deal' Before Drone Incident

In a separate interview on the same programme, Trump claimed Iran had agreed to what he described as “a perfect deal” before launching a drone at a ship. “They agreed to a deal yesterday, a perfect deal for us. No nuclear, no this, no that, no nothing. They gave up everything,” Trump said. He added that within an hour of leaving the room, Iran “launched a drone at a ship.”

Trump confirmed that the Strait of Hormuz remained open and said the US had conducted fresh strikes against Iran overnight. The sequence of events — a reported deal followed almost immediately by a hostile act — underscores the volatile and contested nature of the current diplomatic track.

Israel's Stance on US Military Assistance

Netanyahu also addressed the long-standing US-Israel military aid relationship, signalling a potential shift in its structure. “We've come of age, and we're able to draw them down to zero,” he said, referring to US military assistance. He framed the remark in the context of agreements on military support reached across the Clinton, Obama, and Trump presidencies.

At the same time, Netanyahu was emphatic about Israel's gratitude for the partnership. “Israel is keenly grateful for the fact that America joined — and Israel joined forces to prevent Iran from getting nuclear weapons and the means to deliver them, not only against us, but against the entire West, and against the United States,” he said. He argued that joint US-Israel operations had successfully pushed back what he characterised as an immediate threat from Iran's nuclear and missile programmes.

A Tribute to Senator Lindsey Graham

Netanyahu also paid tribute to the late Senator Lindsey Graham, who died on Saturday after a sudden illness. Graham was widely regarded as one of Israel's strongest advocates in the US Senate and had reportedly pushed for greater American support for Israeli ballistic missile defence — sometimes exceeding what Netanyahu himself requested. “He would outbid the Prime Minister of Israel,” Netanyahu recalled. The prime minister noted that Graham believed US military assistance to Israel directly served American security interests as well.

What Comes Next

The dual track of diplomacy and military pressure appears to define the current US posture toward Iran. Whether the reported near-agreement — disrupted, according to Trump, by the drone incident — can be revived remains unclear. Analysts will be watching whether Iran returns to the table or escalates further, and whether Israel's stated willingness to reduce its dependence on US military aid signals a deeper strategic repositioning in the region.