Trump Urged Netanyahu to Hold Back on Iran Strike as Nuclear Talks Advance

by Worthy News Jerusalem Bureau Staff

(Worthy News) – President Donald Trump confirmed Wednesday that he advised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against launching a military strike on Iran, amid heightened diplomatic efforts to revive a nuclear agreement with Tehran.

Speaking from the Oval Office, Trump described a recent phone call with Netanyahu in which he conveyed his view that military action would be “inappropriate right now” given the progress in U.S.-Iran negotiations. “It wasn’t a warning–I just said I didn’t think it was the right time,” Trump said. “We’re having very good discussions with them.”

He emphasized that any deal must be grounded in verification, not trust. “I don’t trust anybody,” Trump said. “But with the right inspections, we can go in, take what we want, blow up what we want–without anyone getting killed.”

Israeli officials quickly pushed back on media claims of a rift, insisting coordination between Washington and Jerusalem remains “deep, intimate, and daily.” One senior official said both Trump and Netanyahu remain united in their goal: “Preventing Iran from ever obtaining a nuclear weapon.”

That shared objective, however, has faced renewed urgency. The New York Times reported this week that U.S. intelligence believes Israel could strike Iran’s nuclear facilities within seven hours of Netanyahu’s command, raising concerns in Washington of a potential unilateral move that could derail talks.

Meanwhile, a senior Israeli delegation just returned from Washington after high-level meetings with Vice President J.D. Vance, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, and others. Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer and Mossad chief David Barnea reportedly outlined Israel’s red lines for any future agreement, particularly around uranium enrichment, the key sticking point in negotiations.

Iran, for its part, signaled Wednesday it may allow increased inspections of its nuclear sites if a deal is reached. Talks, mediated by Oman, are expected to continue in the coming days, though both sides admit the path forward remains unclear.

As the possibility of an interim agreement circulates–one that could include sanctions relief in exchange for enrichment limits–Trump acknowledged the stakes. “There are only two possible outcomes,” he said. “A smart one and a violent one. I don’t think anyone wants the second.”

While reaffirming Israel’s right to self-defense, Trump urged patience. “If we can make a deal, it will save a lot of lives,” he said. “But that could change with a phone call.”

For now, the prospect of diplomacy still holds. But with tensions rising and timelines tightening, both Washington and Jerusalem are navigating a precarious path–between war and a last chance for peace.

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