Trump tells Netanyahu he has no choice but to accept Iran deal
Donald Trump warns Israeli prime minister against retaliation, confirming sanctions will remain in place until Tehran engages in good faith, complicating broader ceasefire efforts in the region.
US President Donald Trump has told the Financial Times that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will have no alternative but to accept a diplomatic agreement with Iran. Speaking in an interview broadcast on Sunday, Trump asserted that he "calls the shots" regarding the unfolding crisis, urging the Israeli leader to refrain from retaliatory actions against Tehran.
The comments come amid heightened hostilities between the two nations, marking the first direct bombardment exchange since April. Trump’s intervention signals a hardening of the US stance, with the president confirming that he would not unfreeze Iranian assets or lift existing sanctions prior to the conclusion of a peace agreement. He stated that any concessions would only follow if Tehran "behaves and engages in good faith."
Diplomatic negotiations are further complicated by divergent priorities regarding the conflict in Lebanon. Iranian officials have insisted that any comprehensive deal must include an end to fighting in Lebanon. This condition contrasts with Trump’s preference for "more surgical" attacks on Hezbollah, as he has indicated that Lebanon should not be included in an overall ceasefire deal.
The escalation was triggered by Israeli military operations in Lebanon, which Prime Minister Netanyahu and Defence Minister Israel Katz described as responses to cross-border fire from Hezbollah. The Israeli military struck what it identified as a militant command centre in the Dahiyeh district, a stronghold of the Iran-backed group. In retaliation, Hezbollah confirmed launching a drone at the Dovev Barracks.
While Trump’s assertion of control over the situation underscores the US position, the feasibility of such influence remains subject to the sovereign decisions of Israel. The path to a deal remains undefined, with domestic and regional political pressures in Israel likely to play a significant role in whether Netanyahu accepts the terms outlined by the US administration.
