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Donald Trump 'raised by God' to protect Israel from Iran, says Mike Pompeo

The US Secretary of State has agreed it is “possible” God sent Donald Trump to protect Israel from Iran.

In an interview with the Christian Broadcasting Network during a high-profile trip to Israel, Mike Pompeo said it was his faith that made him believe the US President had been "raised" to help save Israel.

He was asked: "could it be that President Trump right now has been sort of raised for such a time as this, just like Queen Esther, to help save the Jewish people from the Iranian menace?"

Mr Pompeo replied: "As a Christian, I certainly believe that's possible.”

He added: "I am confident that the Lord is at work here.”

US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. (EPA)
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo. (EPA)

During his tour of the Middle East, Mr Pompeo has come under fire for only inviting “faith-based” members of the media to join.

Mr Pompeo also praised US efforts to “make sure that this democracy in the Middle East, that this Jewish state, remains.”

His comments came on a Jewish holiday, Purim, that commemorates the biblical rescue of the Jewish people by Queen Esther from the Persians.

Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu (EPA)
Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu (EPA)

The remarks also followed Mr Trump tweeting that "it was time" the US recognised Israel’s sovereignty over the occupied Golan Heights territory Israel seized from Syria during the 1967 Middle East War.

Israel applied its administration and law to Golan in 1981, an act that was not recognised by other governments.

During Mr Pompeo's tour, he visited the Western Wall with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is facing re-election next month.

Mr Netanyahu thanked Mr Trump on Twitter for his comments on Thursday.