Trump confirms he cautioned Netanyahu against striking Iran
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Netanyahu and Trump in the Oval Office. Photo: Jabin Botsford/Washington Post via Getty
President Trump confirmed Wednesday that he cautioned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a call last Thursday against ordering a strike on Iran's nuclear facilities, as Axios first reported.
Why it matters: Trump's comments exposed the widening gap between the U.S. and Israel when it comes to Iran's nuclear program.
What he's saying: Asked if he warned Netanyahu not to attack Iran, Trump said "I would like to be honest, yes I did."
- Trump stressed he told Netanyahu a military strike on Iran in the current timing would be "inappropriate" because the U.S. and Iran are close to a deal.
- Trump said he believes the Iranian nuclear crisis can be solved with "a very strong document," and without military action.
- "I want it very strong where we can go in with inspectors, we can take whatever we want, we can blow up whatever we want, but nobody's getting killed. We can blow up a lab but nobody's going to be in the lab," Trump said.
Trump said any deal would likely be agreed within "a couple weeks." His previous timelines on Iran have proved overly optimistic, but he continues to insist a deal could come very soon.
- But Trump also said his belief that a deal is likely "could change at any moment. It could change with a phone call."
- He has repeatedly suggested there will either be a diplomatic deal or military action.
Catch up quick: On Tuesday, Axios reported that Trump cautioned Netanyahu in a phone call last week not to take any action that could jeopardize the negotiations.
- Trump and other senior U.S. officials have grown concerned in recent weeks that Israel might bomb Iran's nuclear facilities — perhaps even without a green light from Trump.
- Senior Israeli officials visited D.C. earlier this week for talks with the administration on Iran.
What's next: White House envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian foreign minister Abbas Araghchi are expected to meet later this week for the sixth round of nuclear talks between the countries.
