Netanyahu and Trump have spoken 3 times in the last few days

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he had spoken three times with US President-elect Donald Trump in the past few days, Al Arabiya reported.

"These were good and very important talks. We see the Iranian threat in all its components and the danger it poses. We also see the great opportunities for Israel in the area of peace and its expansion, as well as in other areas," Netanyahu said.

The Israeli prime minister said he had spoken with Trump about the "great opportunities for Israel in the area of peace and its expansion."

The United States is Israel's chief ally and military backer, and the election came at a critical time for the Middle East amid the Gaza and Lebanon wars.

Analysts believe Netanyahu had hoped for Trump's return to the White House, given the long personal friendship between the two.

During his first term, Trump moved the U.S. embassy to Jerusalem, recognized Israeli sovereignty over the occupied Golan Heights and helped normalize ties between Israel and several Arab states under the so-called Abraham Accords. | BGNES