Netanyahu using Iran war to stay in power 'forever': former US president Clinton

Former US president Bill Clinton has said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has wanted to fight Iran for a long time because that way he can stay in the office forever.

"Netanyahu has long wanted to fight Iran because that way he can stay in office forever and ever. I mean, he's been there most of the last 20 years," the former president said during an appearance on "The Daily Show," reports Arab News.

Clinton said he called on US President Donald Trump to "defuse" the current conflict between Israel and Iran, and end the "outright constant killing of civilians."

"But I think we should be trying to defuse it, and I hope President Trump will do that," he added. 

Talking at the show, the former president said he does not think either Netanyahu or Trump wants to trigger a full-scale regional disaster. 

He also emphasised the importance of the US protecting its allies in the region, while simultaneously advocating for restraint.

"We have to convince our friends in the Middle East that we'll stand with them and try to protect them," he said.

"But choosing undeclared wars in which the primary victims are civilians, who are not politically involved, one way or the other, who just want to live decent lives, is not a very good solution."

The US, by far, has stayed out of direct action in the conflict between Iran and Israel. But it has helped Israel shoot down missiles from Tehran and has supplied it with military equipment.