U.S. President Donald Trump has urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to launch retaliatory strikes against Iran, saying that Washington is “very close” to securing a major peace agreement with Tehran. The appeal came amid rising tensions in the Middle East after Iran launched missiles toward Israel following an Israeli strike in Beirut, Lebanon.
According to reports, Trump spoke directly with Netanyahu over the phone on Sunday and asked him to give diplomacy more time. Sources familiar with the conversation said Trump emphasized that ongoing negotiations between the United States and Iran were nearing a breakthrough and that further military escalation could jeopardize months of diplomatic efforts.
Trump later reiterated his confidence in the negotiations during media interviews, insisting that any missile exchanges or military actions would not derail the broader peace process. He stated that the success or failure of the deal would depend on its own merits rather than short-term military developments.
The U.S. President also made strong remarks regarding Israel’s role in the negotiations, saying that Netanyahu would ultimately have to accept any agreement reached between Washington and Tehran. Trump reportedly declared, “I call the shots,” signaling that the United States intends to take the lead in shaping the outcome of the talks.
The latest tensions began after Iran fired missiles at Israeli targets, claiming the attack was retaliation for Israeli military operations in Beirut. While Israeli officials initially indicated that a response was being considered, Trump’s intervention appeared aimed at preventing a wider regional conflict. U.S. officials said the President believed he had convinced Netanyahu to delay any immediate retaliation and allow diplomatic channels to continue.
Despite Trump’s request, reports on Monday indicated that Israel carried out fresh strikes against targets in western and central Iran, raising concerns about the fragile state of regional stability. Iranian leaders responded with warnings of further retaliation and accused both Israel and the United States of escalating tensions.
The developments highlight the difficult balance facing the Trump administration as it seeks to secure a historic agreement with Iran while managing the security concerns of one of its closest allies. With negotiations reportedly in their final stages, the coming days could prove crucial for both diplomacy and regional peace.
