US President Donald Trump has said Saudi Arabia and Israel would not exist today without protection from the United States under his leadership. Trump made the remarks during an interview with TIME at the White House on September 28, while discussing his relationship with Saudi Arabia and Washington's military role in the Middle East. The interview was published on October 1.

Asked about his current ties with Saudi Arabia following reports of dissatisfaction in Riyadh over the US response to Houthi attacks, Trump described his relationship with the kingdom as very good. He said he had “done a lot for Saudi Arabia” and claimed that without him as president, the country would not be there. He also made the same claim about Israel, saying both countries would have been wiped off the planet without US protection.

Trump said he has a good relationship with Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and argued that American support has helped deter threats against the kingdom. “My relationship with them is very good. I like the crown prince. My relationship is very good,” he said. His comments linked his personal relationship with the Saudi leadership to his broader argument about the US security role in the region.

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Discussing Israel, Trump said the country would not have been able to defend itself against its adversaries without US support. He was also asked whether Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu should seek another term, but Trump declined to make a direct assessment. Instead, he said his priority was helping Israel defend itself, particularly against Iran, and argued that Iran should not be allowed to obtain nuclear weapons.

Trump also discussed the ongoing US military campaign against Iran during the interview. He said he could have stopped the operation after US strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities but chose to continue military action to prevent Tehran from rebuilding its military capabilities. Trump claimed that Iran's economy, navy, air force and radar systems had been severely damaged, while also saying that Tehran wanted to negotiate with Washington.

Asked whether the United States could intensify its bombing campaign against Iran after the US midterm elections, Trump replied, “Possible.” He also said a recent Iranian ceasefire proposal had been rejected because he considered it insufficient, despite an offer involving the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz. The comments came as Trump continued to describe US military involvement in the region as central to countering threats to Israel and Saudi Arabia.

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