Financial Times: Netanyahu Is Calling Trump Every Day Urging Him to Relaunch the War on Iran, While Gulf Leaders Press the President Not to Escalate and to Prioritize Talks, Hours After Trump Declared the War 'Effectively Over'
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been calling President Donald Trump every day to urge him to launch a renewed military offensive against Iran, according to a Financial Times report — while the region's leaders are pressing Trump the other way, telling him not to escalate and to put negotiations first.
"Netanyahu calls him every day [to urge him to resume the war]. Those who don't want a war within the White House and outside have been trying to combat that," a person briefed on the discussions told the Financial Times. "The regional leaders are telling him not to escalate and prioritize negotiations," the person added. The Financial Times says Arab and Muslim leaders have been alarmed by Netanyahu's constant lobbying for Trump to resume combat operations.
A second source, described as a person familiar with the situation in Israel, told the outlet that Netanyahu wants military action against Iran to resume, while insisting there is not currently a "push" to persuade Trump on the matter. Neither Netanyahu's office nor the White House has publicly confirmed the daily calls.
Trump's own words point the other way. In a Truth Social post after his Monday meeting at the White House with Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani — a key mediator in the Iran talks — the President wrote: "I had an excellent conversation with Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman bin Jassim Al Thani, the Prime Minister of Qatar, wherein much was discussed with respect to the Islamic Republic of Iran. Most importantly, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, and others, would prefer the status quo, in other words, a continuation of the Greatest Naval Blockade in History, and the new Operation Iron Gate — Therefore, Land and Sea."
"All have agreed that Iran cannot have a Nuclear Weapon — That is non-negotiable!" Trump continued. "Should there be any change with respect to developments in the Middle East, the United States of America is 'locked and loaded' and ready to go. At this point, however, that seems to be quite unlikely. Israel, and the entire Middle East, are protected from Iranian danger and threats. We are seeing positive momentum toward an end to this Conflict, and will ensure that America's interests are at all times protected. At the conclusion of this Military Engagement, the American People, and the World, will be far safer and more secure."
Al Thani, in his own statement on his meetings with Trump and Vice President JD Vance, said they "discussed the situation in the region and ways to progress the US-Iran talks," adding: "Grateful for the positive discussions on reaching a deal and bringing peace to the region."
For Americans, the choice in front of the President cuts both ways: keeping the blockade and the talks going holds oil and gas prices down — Brent crude fell sharply on Monday as the deal hopes grew — while a return to strikes would put American forces back in harm's way and send energy prices climbing again. For now, Trump is holding the line his Gulf partners asked for: pressure on Iran without a new war.
📰 ProfiloPolitics Member News — choose your news, share it, earn credit:
https://white-curlew-963569.hostingersite.com
Never miss a story — Join our Telegram channel
Breaking U.S. political news, live as it happens — plus the stories the big outlets sit on.
Join ProfiloPolitics on Telegram