Netanyahu Obsessed with Attacking Iran and Normalizing Relations with Saudi Arabia

JAKARTA - Former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton said on Wednesday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was "persistent" and "obsessed" with attacking Iran, as well as normalizing relations with Saudi Arabia during his tenure.

Speaking in an interview with New Yorker editor David Remnick at an event in New York City, Clinton discussed Netanyahu's approach during his time as foreign minister.

Clinton said Netanyahu was very insistent on attacking Iran.

"He would say, 'You have to support us in attacking Iran.' This happened during the period from 2009 to 2012," Clinton said, launching Anadolu (17/6).

He further explained that the issue of Iran's attack was a recurring topic and recalled a long telephone conversation with Netanyahu and then-Israeli Defense Minister Ehud Barak.

"They say things like, 'Our plane is on the runway.' And I'll say, 'Well, good luck. I mean, okay, but why are you doing this?'" Clinton said.

When Remnick commented, "So as an ally that's receiving a lot of aid, they're playing you," Clinton replied: "Always. Of course."