President Donald Trump revealed on Wednesday that he had advised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against attacking Iran, urging him to hold off on any preemptive action to allow more time for negotiations between Washington and Tehran to reach a nuclear agreement.
During a press conference at the White House, Trump confirmed, “Well, I’d like to be honest. Yes, I did. Next question, please?” He further elaborated, “I told him this would be inappropriate to do right now because we’re very close to a solution.”
The Axios report from the previous day detailed Trump’s caution to Netanyahu not to disrupt the ongoing talks between the US and Iran regarding a potential new nuclear deal. Trump clarified that it wasn’t a warning but rather an expression of inappropriateness given the progress in discussions with Iran.
Despite the positivity surrounding the negotiations, Trump emphasized that the US was prepared to consider “other options” if Tehran failed to make advancements. The Iranians have assured that their uranium enrichment activities are solely for peaceful purposes and have pledged not to pursue nuclear weapons development. Critics have drawn parallels to the 2015 JCPOA nuclear deal from which the US withdrew in 2018.
The White House’s stance to Israel has been one of unity and patience, emphasizing the need to allow the negotiation process to unfold. Trump’s comments on Iran also hinted at potential consequences if an agreement was not reached.
On the same day, the head of the IAEA, Rafael Mariano Grossi, expressed uncertainty about the outcome of the negotiations, indicating that an agreement was still pending. Despite the challenges, ongoing meetings suggested a willingness from both parties to reach a resolution.
The latest developments in the Iran talks underscore the delicate balance of diplomacy and strategic interests at play. The global community closely monitors the progress, hoping for a peaceful resolution to one of the most pressing international issues.