Ex-CIA chief says Trump is possible to give Israel ‘blank check’ which may mean all-out war with Iran.

Following the election of Donald Trump as the next President of the United States, the former CIA director and US defense secretary Leon Panetta, has predicted that the incoming president will possibly give Benjamin Netanyahu a “blank check” in the Middle East, opening the way for an all-out war between Israel and Iran.

Panetta said, “With regards to the Middle East, I think he’s basically going to give Netanyahu a blank check.

“‘Whatever you do, whatever you want to do, whoever you want to go after, you have my blessing.’ I mean, he basically said that [before the election].”

The Israeli prime minister has overseen attacks on Iran and its assets as part of a growing conflagration since Hamas attacked Israel on 7 October last year. He was reported to have spoken with the president-elect during the US election campaign. 

Netanyahu congratulated Trump on Wednesday, after Trump’s victory over Kamala Harris was confirmed.