JERUSALEM (VINnews) — In an interview published Monday in The New Yorker, former U.S. President Barack Obama said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu repeatedly urged him while he was in office to adopt a more aggressive approach toward Iran, including military confrontation.

Obama said Netanyahu consistently pressed the case that Iran’s nuclear ambitions required a forceful response, while he argued for diplomacy, which ultimately led to the 2015 nuclear agreement aimed at curbing Tehran’s program.

Reflecting on those discussions, Obama said military escalation carried significant risks, including the potential for wider regional conflict and long-term instability. He added that similar calls for stronger action continue today, raising questions about whether such an approach ultimately serves Israel’s long-term security interests.

Obama also warned about the broader consequences of conflict with Iran, emphasizing that decisions by world leaders can have far-reaching humanitarian and geopolitical impacts.

He also referenced current U.S. policy, noting that Donald Trump is now considering some of the same types of trade-offs and negotiations with Iran that he had previously criticized during Obama’s presidency.

Obama was also critical of rhetoric surrounding Iran, cautioning that escalating language and threats could further destabilize the region and undermine global norms.

Netanyahu has long maintained that stronger measures are necessary to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, a position that continues to shape Israeli policy.

The comments underscore enduring divisions among U.S. and Israeli leaders over how best to confront Iran, as tensions remain a central factor in Middle East security.