Trump to Israelis: If it weren't for me, you would have been destroyed!

(Patria) - U.S. President Donald Trump stated that Israel would have been "destroyed" (wiped out) without his intervention during the recent conflict in the Middle East, while simultaneously claiming that he still has significant influence over Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and can restrain further military actions in Lebanon.

Speaking on The Axios Show, Trump defended his role in the conflict and asserted that U.S. support was crucial for Israel's survival.

"If it weren't for Donald Trump, Israel would have been destroyed," he said.

These comments come at a time when doubts persist about whether Israel will fully comply with the provisions of the recently signed agreement between the U.S. and Iran, which calls for a cessation of hostilities across the region, including Lebanon.

Asked about his relationship with Netanyahu, Trump described the ties between the two leaders as strong but suggested that he has occasionally had to restrain the Israeli prime minister.

"He's good, but we have to keep him a little sane," Trump said.

The U.S. president was also asked whether he could prevent Israel from carrying out further attacks in Lebanon.

"Yes. They respect me immensely and do what I say," he replied.

Trump's remarks come amid rising tensions over the continuation of Israeli military operations against Hezbollah, despite the broader regional agreement reached by Washington and Tehran.

The latest tensions followed a new wave of Israeli strikes on Hezbollah positions in Lebanon, with the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stating that they targeted more than 80 Hezbollah sites.

Israel said the strikes were aimed at Hezbollah infrastructure and militant positions. However, these attacks have raised new questions about whether the broader framework of the U.S.-Iran agreement can be maintained, especially since that agreement calls for a cessation of hostilities across the region, including Lebanon.

The attacks have increased pressure on ceasefire enforcement mechanisms, Hezbollah's future role in Lebanon, and the question of whether the emerging understanding between Washington and Tehran can influence conflicts involving their regional allies.

Iran has warned that the continuation of Israeli attacks in Lebanon would undermine the framework agreement, arguing that the conflict cannot be considered fully concluded as long as Israeli forces remain on territory seized during the war.

Trump's claim that he can influence Israeli military decisions comes at a time when Netanyahu publicly insists that Israeli troops will remain deployed in southern Lebanon, despite calls for broader regional de-escalation.

On Friday, Netanyahu said Israel would maintain its military presence in the security zone in southern Lebanon and continue to respond forcefully to Hezbollah attacks.

"Israel will not tolerate attacks on our soldiers or our territory, and will exact a very high price from Hezbollah for these attacks," Netanyahu stated in a statement after the Israeli army announced the deaths of four soldiers in Lebanon.

"Israel will remain in the security zone in southern Lebanon for as long as necessary to protect communities in the north," he added.

Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz reiterated that stance, saying Israeli forces would remain in Lebanon and warning that any attack would be met with "considerable force."