Trump cautioned Netanyahu to avoid steps that undermine Iran nuclear talks
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Trump and Netanyahu in the Oval Office in February. Photo: Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images
President Trump cautioned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a phone call last week not to take any action that could jeopardize negotiations between the U.S. and Iran on a new nuclear deal, a White House official and a source familiar with the details tell Axios.
Why it matters: Trump and other senior U.S. officials have grown concerned in recent weeks that Israel might bomb Iran's nuclear facilities or take other steps that could undermine the talks, the official said.
Friction point: Israel has been making preparations to swiftly strike Iran's nuclear sites if U.S.-Iran nuclear talks break down in the coming weeks.
- One source told Axios that Israel believes its operational window for a successful strike could close soon.
- Some U.S. officials have worried Netanyahu might order a strike even without a green light from Trump.
Behind the scenes: Trump told Netanyahu in Thursday's call that "doesn't want anything to impede" a diplomatic solution with Iran, the White House official said.
- Trump's message was "he doesn't want him to antagonize at a time when he is trying to solve problems," the official said.
- Trump stressed to Netanyahu that the "other option" is on the table, but he wants to see first if a diplomatic solution is possible. The Prime Minister's Office declined to comment.
- The call took place after the shooting in Washington that killed two Israeli embassy staffers.
What they're saying: Secretary of Homeland Security Kristy Noem met Netanyahu on Sunday in Jerusalem and also conveyed Trump's message about the need to avoid steps that undermine the negotiations, an Israeli official said.
- Noem told Fox News on Monday that she had a "candid and direct" conversation with Netanyahu about the need to "stay united and let this process play out."
- Noem said Trump would not drag out the negotiations with Iran for weeks or months but would make a decision within days. The Israeli official said that Noem told Netanyahu to "give us a week."
- "I asked the prime minister to work with President Trump to make sure we are taking wise decisions together. He wants Benjamin Netanyahu to be on the same page with him," Noem said.
- White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt also said last Thursday that Trump had "made it very clear" to Netanyahu that he wants a deal with Iran, rather than "the more severe and negative option."
Driving the news: Netanyahu's top adviser Ron Dermer arrived in Washington on Monday, along with Mossad chief David Barnea, for talks on Iran.
- The two met Vice President Vance, White House envoy Steve Witkoff, CIA Director John Ratcliffe and other officials.
State of play: Witkoff met Friday Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi on Friday in Rome for the latest round of talks.
- Trump said Sunday that the talks showed "real progress" and he might have "good news" about it later this week.
