Netanyahu hints at US troop deployment against Iran in CBS interview
Netanyahu hints at US troop deployment against Iran in CBS interview Submitted by MEE staff on Mon, 05/11/2026 - 10:44 Israeli leader refused to divulge details but suggested US President Donald Trump agrees with him on need for ground attack Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told the '60 Minutes' strand on CBS that the conflict was 'not over' (CBS) Off Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has hinted at the use of American soldiers on the ground in Iran, as he declared that the conflict was "not over". Netanyahu was speaking during a sit-down interview with 60 Minutes that was broadcast by CBS on Sunday evening. The Israeli leader said the use of ground troops was necessary to retrieve Iranian nuclear material but refused to give a precise timeline for their use. "I'm not going to talk about military means, but what President Trump has said to me, I want to go in there," he said, adding: "I think it can be done physically." Netanyahu is considered the architect of the conflict, which began with a surprise US-Israeli attack on Iran in late February, which targeted Iranian political leaders, a school for girls and military installations. (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); According to US media reports, US President Donald Trump was surprised that this initial wave of attacks was not enough for Iran to capitulate. Instead, Tehran launched a dogged campaign of resistance against the US and Israel, attacking American bases in the Gulf, Israeli military infrastructure and shutting off access to the Strait of Hormuz, a vital energy chokepoint. Trump agreed to a ceasefire with Iran on 8 April but negotiations have thus far failed to secure a permanenent end to the conflict with sentiment amongst the Iranians that the US and Israel will resume their attacks once they have recouped their losses. Netanyahu also told CBS that he wanted to end US aid to Israel, which ordinarily amounts to $3.8bn a year but increases significantly during times of war. In defence of Benjamin Netanyahu Read More » He instead floated a military partnership, in which the US would share its weaponry with Israel. Such a move comes amidst criticism within the US of Israel's oversized influence on US politics and its reliance on US military aid. While US politicians remain steadfast in their support of Israel, American voters increasingly hold negative views of the state. In February, a Gallup poll found that 41 percent of Americans held more sympathetic views of Palestinians as opposed to 36 percent who favoured Israel. In 2023, that number was 54 percent sympathising more with Israel versus 31 percent for Palestinians. On social media, the genocide in Gaza, Israeli lobbying of American politicians and Israeli advocacy of wars that the US ends up fighting, are all cited as reasons for negative perceptions of Israel. War on Iran News Post Date Override 0 Update Date Mon, 05/04/2020 - 21:19 Update Date Override 0