20.03.2026 00:32
U.S. President Donald Trump stated that he warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to target Iran's strategic oil and natural gas facilities. In a meeting at the White House with Japanese Prime Minister Takaiichi Sanae, when asked about Israel's targeting of Iranian oil facilities, Trump said he discussed the matter with Prime Minister Netanyahu. Trump said, "I told him not to do it. He won't do it."
U.S. President Donald Trump made a critical statement from the White House regarding the escalating tensions in the Middle East, announcing that he clearly warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to attack Iran's energy infrastructure. Trump said, "I told him not to do it, and he won't."
While receiving Japanese Prime Minister Takaiichi Sanae at the White House, President Trump evaluated the Iranian agenda in a press briefing in the Oval Office.
"I TOLD HIM NOT TO, HE WON'T"
When asked about Israel's targeting of Iranian oil facilities, Trump stated that he discussed this issue with Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu.
Trump said, "I told him not to do that. He won't do it. We are independent countries, we understand each other very well, we work in coordination, but sometimes he (Netanyahu) does something, and if I don't like it, we don't do it anymore."
REACTION TO NATO ON THE STRAIT OF HORMUZ
On the other hand, Trump reacted again to NATO countries that stated they would not support the opening of the Strait of Hormuz, emphasizing that he was disappointed about this issue.
Stating that he believes Japan will assist them regarding Iran, unlike NATO, Trump commented, "As for NATO, they don't want to help us defend the Strait of Hormuz, yet they are the ones who need it the most."
"WE CAN TAKE HARK ISLAND QUICKLY IF WE WANT"
The U.S. President argued that they could quickly seize Hark Island, which belongs to Iran, if they wanted to, claiming that they did not touch the island because they did not want to damage the oil pipelines and infrastructure there.
Reiterating his statement that Iran is very close to acquiring nuclear weapons, Trump said, "We had to make this temporary military intervention. Iran was a threat to the entire Middle East, and everyone knew that. I was seeing what was happening in Iran, and I didn't like starting this temporary military intervention, but we had to do it."
The U.S. President commented, "If you want, you can finish this job in two seconds. But we are acting very prudently."
PENTAGON'S REQUEST FOR AN ADDITIONAL $200 BILLION
In response to a reporter's question, "Since the U.S. has almost won the war, why is the Pentagon asking for an additional budget of $200 billion?" Trump stated that the budget was not only related to Iran.
Stating that the U.S. military needs to be strong in a "turbulent" world, the U.S. President said, "We want this for many reasons beyond the situations we are discussing regarding Iran."
SUPPORT FROM PRIME MINISTER TAKAICHI
On the other hand, Japanese Prime Minister Takaiichi expressed that Japan supports the U.S. attacks on Iran, stating, "Iran must never be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons."
Takaiichi conveyed that they condemned Iran's retaliatory attacks on Gulf countries and Tehran's closure of the Strait of Hormuz, saying, "We are actually facing a very serious security crisis, and due to these developments, the global economy is about to take a significant hit. However, even in this situation, I believe that the only person who can ensure peace in the world is President Trump. I am ready to reach out to our partners in the international community to achieve this."
PEARL HARBOR REMARKS SURPRISED
U.S. President Trump humorously responded to a Japanese reporter's question, "Why didn't you inform your allies, including Japan, about the attacks on Iran?" by saying, "We wanted it to be a surprise; who knows more about surprises than Japan? Why didn't you say anything about Pearl Harbor?"
While those in the U.S. delegation laughed at Trump's Pearl Harbor response, the astonishment of the Japanese delegation was captured on camera.