US President Donald Trump revealed on Wednesday that he advised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu last week against taking any measures that could undermine the ongoing nuclear negotiations with Iran.
Speaking to reporters in the Oval Office, Trump stated, I told him this would be inappropriate to do right now because we're very close to a solution now. That could change at any moment.
Earlier reports from The New York Times suggested that Netanyahu had threatened to disrupt the nuclear talks by targeting Iran’s nuclear enrichment facilities. Israeli officials reportedly feared Trump might accept a deal allowing Iran to retain these facilities, a development considered unacceptable by Israel.
The report also highlighted concerns within the US intelligence community about a possible Israeli strike on Iran, estimating that such an attack could be launched with as little as seven hours’ notice. However, Netanyahu’s office promptly denied the claims, labeling the report as fake news.
The New York Times stood by its reporting, citing discussions with sources closely involved in the matter. According to the paper, Netanyahu’s strategic affairs minister Ron Dermer and Mossad chief David Barnea met with Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff in Rome and later with CIA Director John Ratcliffe in Washington to discuss the situation.
A central sticking point in the negotiations remains the US demand that Iran dismantle its nuclear enrichment facilities, a condition Iran refuses to accept. Amid these tensions, US Homeland Secretary Kristi Noem conveyed to Netanyahu the importance of unity and allowing the negotiation process to continue, as per President Trump’s request.
Recent shifts in US policy, including Trump skipping Israel during his recent Middle East visit and making announcements that unsettled Israeli expectations, have fueled speculation about the US-Israel relationship. Both Trump and Netanyahu have dismissed any claims of a rift between the two allies.
