Netanyahu lauds Trump: Important step in denuclearization of Korea
In statement following Trump's historic summit with Kim, Israeli PM adds the American president 'has also taken a strong stand against Iran's efforts to arm itself with nuclear weapons and against its aggression in the Middle East.'
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu commended US President Donald Trump Tuesday evening on the "historic summit" in Singapore with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un.
"This is an important step in the effort to rid the Korean peninsula of nuclear weapons," Netanyahu said in a video released by his office.
Circling back to the region, the prime minister added, "President Trump has also taken a strong stand against Iran's efforts to arm itself with nuclear weapons and against its aggression in the Middle East. This is already affecting the Iranian economy.
"President Trump's policy is an important development for Israel, the region and the entire world."
Trump himself brought up Iran during his press conference after the meeting with Kim. "I think Iran is a different country now than it was three or four months ago ... I don’t think they’re so confident right now," he said.
"But I hope that, at the appropriate time, after these sanctions kick in, they’re going to come back and negotiate a real deal."
Trump and Kim signed a "comprehensive" document on the denuclearization of the Korean peninsula after a three-and-a-half-hour meeting.
Light on specifics, the document signed by the leaders largely amounted to an agreement to continue discussions as it echoed previous public statements and past commitments. It did not include an agreement to take steps toward ending the technical state of warfare between the US and North Korea.
In the document, Kim "reaffirmed his firm and unwavering commitment to complete denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula," while the United States "committed to provide security guarantees" to North Korea.
The pair promised in the document to "build a lasting and stable peace regime" on the Korean Peninsula and to repatriate remains of prisoners of war and those missing in action during the Korean War.
