Credited from: THEHILL
President Donald Trump stated that he urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to hold off on any military action against Iran, emphasizing that such actions could disrupt ongoing negotiations for a new nuclear deal with Tehran. Trump noted, "I told him this would be inappropriate to do right now because we’re very close to a solution," during remarks at the White House, according to Dawn, New York Times, and The Hill.
Amid these tensions, Netanyahu reportedly directed Israeli defense officials to prepare plans for a strike on Iranian nuclear facilities, regardless of the US negotiations. U.S. intelligence assesses that Israel could conduct an attack with minimal warning, posing a potential risk to the delicate diplomatic engagement, as noted by Newsweek and TRT World.
Meanwhile, the situation has prompted a series of negotiations, with the U.N. atomic agency acknowledging the positive signs of dialogue between Iran and the U.S. Tehran indicated it might allow U.S. inspectors into its facilities if a deal is reached, illustrating the potential for a breakthrough, as mentioned by Al Jazeera and Middle East Eye.
Trump's firm stance indicates his administration's intention to resolve the Iranian nuclear issue diplomatically, rather than through military means, stating, "We can take whatever we want... but I don’t think it’s appropriate right now,” according to South China Morning Post and India Times.
The upcoming discussions may very well determine the future of not only Iran's nuclear capabilities but also the geopolitical stability in the region, with both Trump and Iranian officials signaling an openness to further dialogue, as reported by New York Times and Newsweek.