Trump Says Iran War Conclusion Will Be "Mutual" Decision with Netanyahu

The U.S. president claims the conflict has prevented a regional catastrophe and that Israel's survival is tied to his and Netanyahu's leadership.

Mar. 9, 2026 at 11:31am

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In a telephone interview with The Times of Israel, U.S. President Donald Trump stated that the decision to end the ongoing conflict with Iran will be a "mutual" one made in coordination with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Trump claimed Iran was on the verge of destroying Israel before the current military intervention, and that the weakening of Tehran would lead to the disarmament of regional proxies like Hamas. The president also renewed his calls for Israeli President Isaac Herzog to grant a pardon to Netanyahu, who is on trial for bribery, fraud, and breach of trust.

Why it matters

The comments underscore the deep coordination between the U.S. and Israel in the ongoing military campaign against Iran, which began on February 28 and has resulted in the death of Iran's supreme leader Ali Khamenei. Trump's remarks also highlight the political tensions within Israel, as he presses for a pardon of Netanyahu amid the prime minister's legal troubles.

The details

Trump claimed that prior to the current military intervention, Iran was on the verge of "destroying Israel and everything else around it." He asserted that the two countries have "worked together" and "destroyed a country that wanted to destroy Israel." When asked whether the authority to halt the campaign rested solely with Washington or if the Israeli leadership held equal weight, Trump suggested a collaborative approach, saying "I think it's mutual, a little bit. We've been talking. I'll make a decision at the right time, but everything's going to be taken into account." The president also dismissed the necessity of Israel continuing military operations independently should the U.S. decide to cease its strikes, stating "I don't think it's going to be necessary."

  • The interview took place on March 9, 2026.
  • The joint U.S.-Israel military operation against Iran was launched on February 28, 2026.

The players

Donald Trump

The 45th President of the United States.

Benjamin Netanyahu

The Prime Minister of Israel.

Isaac Herzog

The President of Israel.

Ali Khamenei

The former Supreme Leader of Iran, who was killed in the joint U.S.-Israel military operation on February 28, 2026.

Mojtaba Khamenei

The son of the former Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was selected as the new supreme authority after his father's death.

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What they’re saying

“I think it's mutual, a little bit. We've been talking. I'll make a decision at the right time, but everything's going to be taken into account.”

— Donald Trump, President of the United States

“I don't think it's going to be necessary.”

— Donald Trump, President of the United States

“Bibi Netanyahu should be given that pardon immediately. I think [Herzog is] doing a terrible thing by not giving it. We want Bibi to be focused on the war, not on a ridiculous pardon.”

— Donald Trump, President of the United States

What’s next

The judge in the case will decide on Tuesday whether or not to allow Netanyahu to receive a pardon from Israeli President Isaac Herzog.

The takeaway

The ongoing military conflict between the U.S., Israel, and Iran has become deeply intertwined with domestic Israeli politics, as Trump presses for a pardon of Netanyahu amid the prime minister's legal troubles. This highlights the complex geopolitical dynamics at play in the region.