Netanyahu Says He Informed Donald Trump but Did Not Seek Permission Before Iran Operation

Overview

• Netanyahu told a Federation of Local Authorities conference that he notified President Donald Trump before launching Operation Rising Lion against Iran and did not ask Washington for approval, according to excerpts posted by the Prime Minister’s Office on X.
• The speech also recalled a disagreement with President Joe Biden over entering Rafah, with Netanyahu saying U.S. officials warned they might halt weapons shipments if Israel moved into the area.
• Netanyahu used the remarks to defend Israel’s simultaneous military actions in Gaza, Lebanon, Syria and Iran and said those campaigns have degraded Hezbollah’s military infrastructure while the group remains present in Lebanon.
• Separate media reports say Israeli and Lebanese ambassadors met in Washington to discuss 'pilot zones' where Israeli forces would pull back and the Lebanese Army would deploy, reflecting a parallel diplomatic effort to reduce border tensions.
• The comments underline rising public tension in U.S.-Israel coordination and could complicate diplomacy by highlighting Israel’s willingness to act unilaterally on perceived threats and by drawing renewed attention to ceasefire and stabilization talks.