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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu attends the groundbreaking ceremony for the Atarot Heritage Center at the former Atarot Airport, located between Jerusalem and Ramallah, on July 5 (local time). / Courtesy of EPA-Yonhap

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has dismissed rumors of a rift with U.S. President Donald Trump over the U.S.-Iran nuclear agreement.

In an interview with Fox News on July 5 (local time), Prime Minister Netanyahu emphasized that Israel and the United States share the same strategic goal regarding Iran’s nuclear program.

His remarks appear intended to highlight the ironclad nature of the bilateral alliance amid mounting criticism within Israel over the recent U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding (MOU) to end the conflict.

Netanyahu also reaffirmed his long-standing position that Israel will never tolerate a nuclear-armed Iran.

"We want to see Iran abandon its nuclear weapons program," Netanyahu said. "We want to see the enriched nuclear material removed and the nuclear facilities dismantled."

He went on to emphasize, "Deal or no deal, as long as I am prime minister, Iran will never obtain a nuclear weapon."

Addressing President Trump's recent media remarks suggesting that Israel would have no choice but to accept the U.S.-proposed deal, Netanyahu explained that such statements simply reflect each country acting in its own national interest, adding that "the two leaders share the same vision in most cases."

He firmly denied any potential rift, stating, "When we have disagreements, we resolve them through direct communication," while describing Trump as the strongest supporter of Israel in the history of the White House.

When asked about U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance's warning to Israel to refrain from criticizing the U.S.-Iran negotiations, Netanyahu stated, "I maintain a good relationship with Vice President Vance and respect him," but added, "That doesn't mean I agree with everything he says."

                                                                                                           Lee Jung-eun