Netanyahu Thanks Trump for Weapons to ‘Finish the Job’ Against Iran Axis

JERUSALEM, March 3, 2025 (BSS/AFP) – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed his gratitude to US President Donald Trump on Sunday for sending munitions that had previously been held up by the previous administration, which would assist in “finishing the job against Iran’s terror axis.”

Netanyahu, a staunch critic of Iran and its nuclear programme, has long been opposed to Tehran’s regional influence, including its support for militant groups such as Palestinian faction Hamas. Israel has been engaged in an ongoing conflict with Hamas in the Gaza Strip since October 2023.

In a video statement delivered in English, Netanyahu remarked, “Donald Trump is the greatest friend that Israel has ever had in the White House,” adding, “He’s shown it by sending us all the munitions that were being held up. This way, he is giving Israel the tools we need to finish the job against Iran’s terror axis.”

These comments mirrored those Netanyahu made at a press conference last month, where he was joined by US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. At that time, Netanyahu reiterated Israel’s commitment to “finish the job” against Iran with US support.

“Since the Gaza war began, we have dealt a mighty blow to Iran’s terror axis,” Netanyahu said, referring to Tehran’s network of allies in the Middle East, including the Lebanese group Hezbollah and Yemen’s Huthi rebels, both of whom are aligned against Israel and the United States.

Trump, who resumed office in January, has reinstated his “maximum pressure” strategy towards Iran, reflecting the same stance he held during his initial term in the White House. He has also made it clear that he stands firmly with Israel, having invited Netanyahu as the first head of state to visit the White House last month.

On Saturday, Marco Rubio confirmed that he had signed a declaration to fast-track approximately $4 billion in military aid to Israel, alongside the reversal of a partial arms embargo imposed by former President Joe Biden.

Supplementary Information:

This latest development is part of a broader US-Israel alliance, which has seen continued military and diplomatic support from Washington, particularly in terms of countering Iranian influence in the Middle East. The relationship between Israel and the US has remained a cornerstone of Israeli security policy, especially in the face of rising threats from Iran’s regional proxies. The Gaza conflict has highlighted these tensions, with both sides preparing for the next phase of confrontation.