Netanyahu, Trump on same page despite speculation over differences: Israeli envoy
Amid speculation over differences between Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu on Iran and Gaza, Israel's ambassador to India explains where the two allies stand and why tactical disagreements do not signal a strategic split.
Iran has been left "in shambles" despite claiming victory over Israel, Israeli Ambassador to India Reuven Azar said, even as he dismissed speculation of a widening rift between President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the Iran conflict and the war in Gaza.
In an exclusive interview with India Today, Azar said Israel and the US remain "completely on the same page" on their strategic objectives, with any differences confined to tactics and timing rather than broader goals.
Asked whether Israel and the United States were divided over Iran after reports suggested differences between Trump and Netanyahu, Azar rejected the suggestion.
"We are completely on the same page when it comes to the strategic goals," he said.
"I think that sometimes people get confused because when it comes to tactical measures, there are differences sometimes on timings or motives because the interests of our countries do not always coincide 100 per cent."
He added that close communication between the two allies continues.
"We continue this dialogue. We continue this effort. We have very good connections between the Prime Minister and the President, and this cooperation will continue."
'YOU CANNOT PLAY POLITICS WITH ISRAELI SECURITY'
Responding to suggestions that Netanyahu could be prolonging the conflict for domestic political reasons ahead of elections, Azar rejected the claim outright.
"You cannot play politics with Israeli security," he said.
"No government in Israel can go to war in a democracy for political motivation. That's complete nonsense."
Azar argued that decisions on military operations are based on recommendations from Israel's security establishment rather than political calculations.
"The system is embedded in the way in which the security apparatus, the IDF, the secret services, give their recommendations to the government," he said.
'ISRAEL HAS NO TERRITORIAL ASPIRATIONS'
The ambassador also rejected suggestions that Israel was pursuing regional dominance through continued military operations.
"We don't have territorial aspirations in Lebanon," he said.
"We are ready even to withdraw from Gaza if Hamas is dismantled. This is the implementation of President Trump's plan."
He maintained that Israel's actions were driven by security concerns following the October 7 Hamas attacks and subsequent attacks by Hezbollah.
"The only reason that we have changed that tactic is because we were attacked on the 7th of October, and we were attacked by Hezbollah on the 8th of October," he said.
DEFENDING ACTIONS AGAINST IRAN
Azar also defended Israel's approach towards Iran, saying the objective was to counter what he described as Tehran's aggression rather than establish dominance in the region.
"I don't think that Israel is trying to establish regional dominance. I think that we are trying to defend ourselves from Iranian aggression," he said.
He accused Iran's Revolutionary Guards of attempting to destabilise the region, including by trying to alter international norms governing maritime navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
"As long as Iran is trying to do that, and if Iran attacks Israel, Israel will defend itself," he said.
'WE HOPE VERY MUCH THAT WE WILL HAVE PEACE'
Despite the continuing tensions across West Asia, Azar said Israel wanted the conflict to end and remained hopeful that diplomacy would ultimately prevail.
"We hope very much that we will have peace in our region. I think that we had enough of bloodshed," he said.
He argued that Israel had significantly weakened Hamas and other Iran-backed groups and expressed confidence that continued cooperation with the United States and regional partners would eventually restore stability.
"I'm very hopeful... I think that, by cooperation with the United States and other countries in the region that oppose this kind of Iranian aggression, we will be able to restore peace in our region," he said.
Iran has been left "in shambles" despite claiming victory over Israel, Israeli Ambassador to India Reuven Azar said, even as he dismissed speculation of a widening rift between President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the Iran conflict and the war in Gaza.
In an exclusive interview with India Today, Azar said Israel and the US remain "completely on the same page" on their strategic objectives, with any differences confined to tactics and timing rather than broader goals.
Asked whether Israel and the United States were divided over Iran after reports suggested differences between Trump and Netanyahu, Azar rejected the suggestion.
"We are completely on the same page when it comes to the strategic goals," he said.
"I think that sometimes people get confused because when it comes to tactical measures, there are differences sometimes on timings or motives because the interests of our countries do not always coincide 100 per cent."
He added that close communication between the two allies continues.
"We continue this dialogue. We continue this effort. We have very good connections between the Prime Minister and the President, and this cooperation will continue."
'YOU CANNOT PLAY POLITICS WITH ISRAELI SECURITY'
Responding to suggestions that Netanyahu could be prolonging the conflict for domestic political reasons ahead of elections, Azar rejected the claim outright.
"You cannot play politics with Israeli security," he said.
"No government in Israel can go to war in a democracy for political motivation. That's complete nonsense."
Azar argued that decisions on military operations are based on recommendations from Israel's security establishment rather than political calculations.
"The system is embedded in the way in which the security apparatus, the IDF, the secret services, give their recommendations to the government," he said.
'ISRAEL HAS NO TERRITORIAL ASPIRATIONS'
The ambassador also rejected suggestions that Israel was pursuing regional dominance through continued military operations.
"We don't have territorial aspirations in Lebanon," he said.
"We are ready even to withdraw from Gaza if Hamas is dismantled. This is the implementation of President Trump's plan."
He maintained that Israel's actions were driven by security concerns following the October 7 Hamas attacks and subsequent attacks by Hezbollah.
"The only reason that we have changed that tactic is because we were attacked on the 7th of October, and we were attacked by Hezbollah on the 8th of October," he said.
DEFENDING ACTIONS AGAINST IRAN
Azar also defended Israel's approach towards Iran, saying the objective was to counter what he described as Tehran's aggression rather than establish dominance in the region.
"I don't think that Israel is trying to establish regional dominance. I think that we are trying to defend ourselves from Iranian aggression," he said.
He accused Iran's Revolutionary Guards of attempting to destabilise the region, including by trying to alter international norms governing maritime navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.
"As long as Iran is trying to do that, and if Iran attacks Israel, Israel will defend itself," he said.
'WE HOPE VERY MUCH THAT WE WILL HAVE PEACE'
Despite the continuing tensions across West Asia, Azar said Israel wanted the conflict to end and remained hopeful that diplomacy would ultimately prevail.
"We hope very much that we will have peace in our region. I think that we had enough of bloodshed," he said.
He argued that Israel had significantly weakened Hamas and other Iran-backed groups and expressed confidence that continued cooperation with the United States and regional partners would eventually restore stability.
"I'm very hopeful... I think that, by cooperation with the United States and other countries in the region that oppose this kind of Iranian aggression, we will be able to restore peace in our region," he said.
