Donald Trump declared that, “for the first time in a thousand years, the world will look at this region not as a place of turmoil and strife, and war and death, but as a land of opportunity and hope.”

After striking back on Friday night, Iran launched a new wave of strikes toward Israel on Saturday morning. Now, the two countries continue to exchange deadly missiles and threats, with fatalities and injuries reported on both sides.

Netanyahu spoke after Trump earlier on Sunday called for a deal between the warring parties, saying “many calls and meetings” were now taking place that would lead to peace soon. “Iran and Israel should make a deal, and will make a deal,” he wrote on Truth Social.

Israelis have been rallying around the flag since the attacks began last week, even if not around Netanyahu himself.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will sit down for an interview airing Sunday with Fox News anchor Bret Baier, his first since Israel's strikes on Iran.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen said she urged Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday to work toward negotiating an end to Iran’s pursuit of a nuclear weapon and to allow humanitarian aid to reach civilians in Gaza.

During his second government, between 2009 and 2013, he tried at least twice to launch attacks against Iran’s nuclear programme but was stymied. He faced a series of obstacles. His generals and security chiefs opposed such a move.

Israel has long fought a shadow war with Iran while avoiding all-out conflict. Now Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is risking it all in pursuit of a conclusive victory.

Trump distanced himself from direct involvement in Israel’s strikes. But Benjamin Netanyahu will need the U.S. president to finish the job.