Washington warns Israeli restraint may protect negotiations while Tehran’s reckless missile barrage risks renewed war.
U.S. President Donald Trump has reportedly urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to retaliate against Iran’s latest missile attack, warning that another military exchange could endanger delicate negotiations aimed at ending the three-month conflict.
According to the report, Trump spoke with Netanyahu after Iran launched missiles at Israel on Sunday, pressing him to avoid actions that could derail a possible peace agreement expected within days.
Trump said Washington is very close to securing a deal and suggested an agreement could be signed early this week. He also delivered a direct message to Tehran, saying Iran had fired its missiles and should now return to the negotiating table.
The president argued that both sides had already carried out strikes and that another round would only prolong the cycle of confrontation. He said Iran’s latest attack caused no casualties and expressed hope that Israel would not respond militarily.
Trump also indicated that Netanyahu may ultimately have to accept the agreement reached by the United States, saying Washington is leading the diplomatic track and “calls the shots.”
During the call, Netanyahu reportedly pushed back but eventually agreed, at least temporarily, to hold off on retaliation. The conversation was described as calmer than a previous tense exchange between the two leaders.
Trump also criticized Israel’s recent strikes in Beirut, saying he was unhappy with the move, while still focusing his main effort on preventing Iran’s missile provocation from collapsing the emerging deal.
The episode highlights Israel’s difficult strategic balance: defending its citizens from Iranian aggression while navigating intense American pressure to preserve negotiations that could reshape the region.
