Behind The Scenes Of Trump’s Dynamic With World Leaders
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz said President Trump has firmly maintained control over his dealings with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, pushing back on claims that the Israeli leader has undue influence over U.S. policy.
Speaking on the podcast “Pod Force One” with host Miranda Devine, Waltz dismissed suggestions from former counterterrorism official Joe Kent and others that Netanyahu had steered Trump into conflict with Iran. Instead, Waltz said Trump has made clear that he is the one making decisions.
“I don’t think for a second anyone should believe that any world leader or adviser is walking into the Oval Office and pushing President Trump around,” Waltz said. “These are his calls.”
Waltz pointed to past interactions between the two leaders as evidence, including a moment when Trump pressed Netanyahu to address tensions with Qatar. During a White House visit in September, Netanyahu placed a call to Qatar’s prime minister to express “deep regret” over a September 2025 strike in Doha.
The strike, which targeted Hamas leadership during hostage negotiations, ultimately failed to hit its intended targets. It did, however, kill at least six people, including a Qatari security official, and left several others injured. The incident strained already tense relations between Israel and Qatar, which has hosted Hamas officials.
Despite the often friendly dynamic between Trump and Netanyahu, Waltz suggested the relationship has not been without friction. Trump has previously criticized Netanyahu, including over his acknowledgment of Joe Biden’s 2020 election victory and over disagreements tied to past military decisions involving Iran.
Tensions have also surfaced within the administration over Israeli military actions in Syria, particularly as Trump sought to improve relations with Syrian leadership.
Waltz also addressed the broader regional landscape, arguing that Iran’s recent actions have unified Gulf nations that were previously divided. He said countries in the region have grown increasingly frustrated after being targeted by Iranian strikes.
“I think this shoot-in-all-directions approach from the Iranian regime is going to backfire,” Waltz said, noting that even countries like Qatar, which had tried to maintain a more neutral stance, have shifted in response to attacks on civilian infrastructure.
According to Waltz, that shift has helped bring Gulf nations closer together, creating a more coordinated front against Iran. He pointed to a recent United Nations resolution condemning Iran, which passed without a veto from Russia or China.
“This is where diplomacy can work,” Waltz said. “It shows how isolated Iran is.”