Netanyahu seeks US, UK, Israel axis against Iran

Before taking off for a visit to the UK, Netanyahu touched upon what he felt was the present opportunity for a US/UK/Israel axis in containing Iranian aggression.

Following up on earlier remarks calling for a “common front against Iran’s defiant aggression,” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu briefly touched upon the current potential for a trilateral axis composed of the United States (US), United Kingdom (UK) and Israel working to rein in Iran, before he took off for a short visit to the UK that will include meetings with Prime Minister Theresa May and Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson.

“I think that the most important thing at the moment is that countries like the US, which will take the lead, Israel and the UK line up together against Iran’s aggression and set clear limits to it,” Netanyahu said on Sunday afternoon. “This will be the first issue, among many, that I will discuss with UK Prime Minister Theresa May and, of course, with Foreign Secretary Boris Johnson.”

“I intend to speak with both of them about tightening relations, between each side and Israel and trilaterally,” Netanyahu added. “This is what I will do next week in Washington and in London tomorrow.”

Theresa May’s spokeswoman had stressed on Thursday that the main purpose of the meeting between Netanyahu and May was to enhance bilateral ties between the two countries. When asked if President Donald Trump would be a subject in discussions between the leaders, May’s spokeswoman responded that “it’s quite possible it will come up” in light of Netanyahu’s meeting with Trump next week, but that “it’s not the focus for the visit.”

Netanyahu however, appeared to have given every inkling on Sunday afternoon that Trump will be brought up in his conversations with May.

“We are in a period of diplomatic opportunities and challenges,” Netanyahu suggested. “The opportunities stem from the fact that there is a new administration in Washington, and a new government in Britain.”

The challenges stem from the fact the Iranians also understand what I have just said,” he continued. “They are trying to test the boundaries with extraordinary aggression, gall and defiance.”

By: Jonathan Benedek, World Israel News

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