Donald Trump declared that Israel would cease to exist if he were not re-elected president, making the assertion during a phone interview with Fox & Friends on Tuesday.
"Frankly, if I weren’t president of the United States, Israel today would not exist," Trump stated approximately ten minutes into the half-hour call. The conversation, framed as an update on the Iran War, touched on Iran's nuclear program and the Strait of Hormuz.
When questioned by host Brian Kilmeade about the U.S. strategy to counter Iran's nuclear ambitions and funding of terrorist groups, Trump asserted control over the Strait of Hormuz. "We have a blockade up there right now and only ships that we want to get through, get through," Trump said. "Iran doesn't control the strait - we control the strait. Now, they can drop a mines and screw things up, but we control the strait."
His remarks contrasted with a statement from Ebrahim Zolfaghari, a spokesperson for Iran's Khatam al-Anbiya Central Headquarters. Zolfaghari stated that Iran would seek compensation for damages to vessels during the conflict, funded by frozen Iranian assets. This statement challenged Trump's earlier proposal that Iran would pay for any damage to ships.
Trump had previously written on Truth Social that "any and all damages done to Ships, Cargo, or anything related thereto, will be paid for by Iranian Money that the United States has in its possession, and controls."
The former president also expressed frustration with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. In response to a question from Ainsley Earhardt about Netanyahu's promise to present evidence of Iran's nuclear program development, Trump said, "I don’t need Bibi to tell me that." He added, "Bibi is telling me that because he wants me to stay involved." Trump questioned why Netanyahu would announce such intentions to the world instead of informing him directly.
Trump commented on Iran's nuclear activities, stating, "I know exactly what’s going on at Pickaxe [Mountain]. It’s not a big problem. We took out their nuclear site, and we’ll have to take out Pickaxe if we don’t make a deal." Pickaxe Mountain, known in Farsi as Kuh-e Kolang Gaz La, is described as a deeply buried tunnel complex near Iran's Natanz enrichment site. Experts have expressed doubt that even powerful bunker-buster weapons could penetrate it. Iran has denied the existence of a nuclear facility at the site.
The U.S. and Israel have engaged in daily strikes with Iran since February 28. The Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil chokepoint, has been largely impassable since the conflict began.
Later on Tuesday, Trump attended the funeral service for Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, where Prime Minister Netanyahu was also present. The two leaders also met at the White House prior to the funeral.