U.S. President Donald Trump (right) and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu (left) [Reuters, Yonhap News file photo]

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reiterated his claim that he did not seek permission from U.S. President Donald Trump for Israel's military operation against Iran last June.

Speaking at an event for local government officials in Tel Aviv on the 24th (local time), Prime Minister Netanyahu stated, "Before launching the operation at that time, we informed President Trump that we would be entering Iran. It was because we could not simply sit by and wait for enemies who publicly declare that they will destroy both us and the United States."

He added, "I did not ask for permission; I merely notified him of our plans," and continued, "I was pleased that he (President Trump) eventually joined in at the final stages of a very important operation."

Prime Minister Netanyahu had previously made similar claims during the early stages of the operation last year.

His decision to bring up the fact of Israel's independent strike against Iran again is interpreted as an effort to emphasize Israel's strategic autonomy amid rising tensions between the U.S. and Israel over the recent peace agreement between the U.S. and Iran, and growing concerns that the U.S. might limit Israel's freedom of military action.

Some also interpret this as a response to domestic criticism and backlash regarding the fact that Israel's stance was barely reflected in the U.S.-Iran peace agreement.

Furthermore, Prime Minister Netanyahu actively defended the military achievements Israel has secured against Iran, Hamas in the Gaza Strip, and Hezbollah in Lebanon following the October 7, 2023, Hamas massacre.

Quoting the Talmudic proverb, "If someone comes to kill you, rise up early and kill him first," he emphasized, "Israel's security doctrine has shifted toward a proactive approach of taking the lead and attacking on the battlefield. The most significant achievement we have accomplished is breaking the barrier of fear."