Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu shelved plans for military strikes against Iran after President Trump informed him that nuclear negotiations were on the verge of a major breakthrough, according to multiple officials familiar with the conversations.
The U.S. president conveyed to Netanyahu that American and Iranian negotiators were just days away from reaching an agreement that could unlock discussions on a comprehensive nuclear accord. That message proved decisive in Netanyahu's calculus, leading him to postpone the planned operation.
The timing reflects a delicate balance between Tel Aviv's security concerns and Washington's diplomatic strategy. Israel has long viewed Iran's nuclear program as an existential threat, while the Trump administration has sought to pursue a negotiated settlement despite years of failed talks under previous administrations.
Netanyahu's decision to delay the strikes represents a significant show of deference to the White House at a moment when U.S.-Israel coordination on Middle East policy remains central to both governments' regional calculations. The move also underscores Trump's confidence in his ability to broker a deal where others have stumbled.
The announced breakthrough, if confirmed, would represent a dramatic reversal from the hardline posture that has defined recent American policy toward Tehran. It remains unclear what specific concessions or framework prompted Trump's optimism, or whether the talks can actually deliver the comprehensive agreement he described to Netanyahu.
Author Sarah Mitchell: "Netanyahu backing down on military action because Trump dangled a nuclear deal talks is exactly the kind of executive-level diplomacy that separates headline deals from real ones, but the proof will be in whether those talks actually materialize."
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