Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu extended effusive birthday wishes to US President Donald Trump on Saturday, hailing him as a steadfast ally amidst Israel's ongoing military offensive against Iran. The congratulatory message came as tensions between the two leaders had reportedly surfaced in recent weeks, with Israeli media suggesting friction due to Netanyahu's signaled readiness to strike Iran, even while Washington pursued negotiations with Tehran over its nuclear program.

However, following Israel’s large-scale assault on Friday, conducted under Operation Rising Lion, President Trump offered strong support for the actions, describing the strikes as "excellent" and "very successful." Netanyahu responded publicly by praising the US President. In his statement, Netanyahu said, "Happy Birthday to you, President Donald J Trump. You’ve been an extraordinary leader, decisive, courageous, with a clear vision and clear action. You have done great things for Israel."

With Israeli fighter jets targeting key sites tied to Iran’s atomic infrastructure, Netanyahu positioned the campaign as part of a broader global struggle against authoritarian aggression. He declared, "Our enemy is your enemy and by doing what we're doing, we're dealing with something that will threaten all of us sooner or later. Our victory will be your victory."

Iran, which has consistently denied accusations of seeking nuclear weapons, retaliated by launching strikes that impacted several Israeli cities, including Jerusalem and Tel Aviv, marking a sharp escalation in hostilities. Tehran has accused the United States of aiding Israel in these attacks, an allegation that Washington firmly denies.

Earlier comments made by President Trump to ABC News underscored his support for Israel’s offensive. He stated, “I think it’s been excellent. We gave Iran a chance, and they didn’t take it. They got hit—hard. As hard as you can get hit. And there’s more coming. A lot more.”

Beyond the immediate conflict, Netanyahu also took the opportunity to honor the US military on its 250th anniversary, referring to American service members as "guardians of freedom for two and a half centuries." As hostilities deepen, both Netanyahu and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) remain fully engaged in the confrontation with Iran, in what appears to be a prolonged and intense conflict.