I've great relationship with him, but need to keep him sane: Trump on Netanyahu

US President Donald Trump said he maintains a strong relationship with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu but suggested that he often acts as a restraining force on the Israeli leader, remarking that he has to keep Netanyahu "a little bit sane."

Speaking in a wide-ranging interview with Axios journalist Marc Caputo, Trump made the comment while discussing the aftermath of the US-backed military campaign against Iran and the future of Israel's regional military actions.

When Caputo asked about his relationship with Netanyahu, Trump replied: "Good, but we have to keep him a little bit sane."

The remark offered a rare glimpse into Trump's view of his influence over one of Washington's closest allies at a time when tensions remain high across the Middle East following the conflict with Iran.

Trump went further, asserting that he could prevent Israel from expanding military operations against neighbouring countries. Asked whether he would be able to stop Israel from attacking Lebanon, Trump responded: "Yeah, I will be."

"He has a lot of respect for me, and they do as I say," Trump added, underscoring what he described as his leverage over the Israeli government.

Throughout the interview, Trump repeatedly credited himself with ensuring Israel's security and survival. He argued that his decision to withdraw from the 2015 Iran nuclear deal during his first term prevented Tehran from obtaining nuclear weapons and ultimately protected Israel from a potentially existential threat.

"If it weren't for Donald Trump, Israel would've been eviscerated," he said, adding that Israel "would not exist today" without his actions against Iran's nuclear programme.

Trump also highlighted his close coordination with Netanyahu during recent military operations against Iran, while stressing that the United States had played the dominant role. Referring to US military assets, including B-2 bombers, Trump said: "We're the ones with the guns. We're the ones with the whole deal."

The comments come as Trump seeks to project himself as a decisive global leader capable of shaping conflicts and influencing allies. His characterisation of Netanyahu as someone who occasionally needs to be kept "sane" is likely to draw attention in both Washington and Jerusalem, where the two leaders have maintained a complex but strategically important relationship.

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