Trump Slams Herzog Over Netanyahu Pardon, Dodges Iran Oil Strike Question

US President Donald Trump has launched a sharp attack on Israeli President Isaac Herzog, describing him as “weak and pathetic” over his refusal to pardon Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

In an interview with Israel’s Channel 14 on Sunday, Trump accused Herzog of going back on an alleged promise to grant Netanyahu a pardon amid his ongoing corruption trial.

“He told me many times, more than once, that he would pardon him, and he lied to me,” Trump said, adding that Herzog was “not a leader.”

Trump argued that Netanyahu’s legal battle was diverting attention from the war effort, insisting the Israeli leader should focus on the conflict instead.

“Bibi needs to focus on the war, not on nonsense,” he added.

The US president has repeatedly criticised Herzog in recent weeks, previously calling him “weak and useless” and accusing him of politicising the pardon issue.

However, a senior Israeli official rejected Trump’s claims, maintaining that Herzog never made such a promise and had consistently indicated that any decision would follow due legal process.

Netanyahu is currently facing longstanding corruption charges over allegations that he received favours, gifts, and positive media coverage in exchange for regulatory and political benefits to influential businessmen and media figures.

Meanwhile, Trump remained noncommittal on whether US forces would target or seize Iran’s oil and gas infrastructure amid the ongoing conflict.

“I can’t answer that,” he said when pressed on the issue.

The conflict between Israel and Iran has intensified since late February, with joint US-Israeli strikes reportedly killing at least 1,300 people, including Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

Iran has responded with a wave of drone and missile attacks targeting Israel as well as neighbouring countries, including Jordan, Iraq, and several Gulf states hosting US military bases.