The diplomatic talks between Washington and Tehran aimed at ending the Middle East crisis have taken a dramatic turn. US President Donald Trump made it clear that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has no option but to accept any impending peace agreement that the United States signs with Iran. In a hard-hitting phone interview with the international financial daily Financial Times, Trump sent a stern warning to the Israeli leader, stating, “Netanyahu has no choice in this matter. I am the one who dictates terms and makes the final decisions here. Netanyahu cannot do anything about it.”
Tensions in the region peaked recently when Iran launched a barrage of ballistic missiles at Israel in retaliation for Israeli strikes on Hezbollah strongholds in Beirut. This marked the biggest breach of the temporary ceasefire agreement brokered earlier in April. However, President Trump asserted that these fresh missile strikes would not disrupt or derail the high-stakes diplomatic talks being held with Tehran. He expressed strong confidence that the Iranian attacks would have no bearing on the final outcome of the US-Iran strategic peace roadmap.
Trump Urges Israel to Stay Back from Immediate Military Retaliation; Warns Iran of Severe Alternatives
In the wake of the latest escalations, President Trump held a direct telephonic conversation with Prime Minister Netanyahu, urging Israel to exercise maximum restraint and avoid launching any immediate retaliatory military operations. Trump informed Netanyahu that Washington is incredibly close to finalizing a favorable deal with Iran, and therefore, immediate counterattacks must be put on hold. According to international media reports, despite initially strong resistance from the Israeli military command, Netanyahu eventually succumbed to Trump’s pressure and agreed to temporarily stall the planned counter-offensive.
Adding to the drama, reports surfaced regarding a previous intense phone conversation last week where Trump used exceptionally harsh language against the Israeli PM. Trump reportedly told Netanyahu, “Are you crazy? If it weren’t for me, you would be in jail by now. Because of this war, everyone hates you and Israel right now.” While Trump himself acknowledged making these blunt remarks, Netanyahu downplayed the tension coolly, comparing the heated exchange to a routine dispute within a family.
Meanwhile, Trump warned that the US has robust alternatives ready if the ongoing diplomatic channels with Iran fall through. He made it clear that if the deal fails, Washington will not hesitate to order direct commando operations against Iranian targets or enforce a crippling naval blockade to devastate the country’s economy. The peace talks, spear-headed by US Vice President JD Vance, are reportedly entering their final and decisive phase.
