Trump Curbs Netanyahu: Formal Request to Postpone Military Response to Iran and Grant Opportunity for Diplomacy

Informed sources revealed details of a crucial phone call between US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in which the former requested patience and the postponement of any military response against Iran for the time being. This request came after a field escalation that saw Iran launch missile barrages towards northern Israel, in response to a raid targeting the southern Beirut suburb.\n\nThe sources stated that the US administration sees the current phase as a golden opportunity for diplomacy, with Trump considering an agreement with Tehran to be very imminent. Officials indicated that Washington had not given Tel Aviv any prior approval to carry out the strike that targeted the Lebanese capital, reflecting a gap in coordination between the two allies.\n\nReports mentioned that Netanyahu initially expressed clear reservations about the American position, insisting on Israel's right to respond immediately to Iranian missile attacks. However, he eventually agreed, temporarily, to freeze any direct offensive plans pending the outcome of the intensive political moves led by Washington.\n\nA senior US official described the latest call as calmer than the previous tense one, emphasizing that Trump is trying to buy time to finalize negotiations. The source clarified that the White House refuses to risk the collapse of months-long diplomatic efforts due to a military escalation that could get out of control at the last minute.\n\nIn striking press statements, Trump stressed that the final decision on the Iranian file rests solely with the United States, indicating that Netanyahu will have no choice but to follow the American vision. These statements reflect Washington's desire to impose its rhythm on the regional scene, away from Israeli desires for continued open confrontation.\n\nFor his part, Netanyahu quickly convened an emergency meeting of the small ministerial council, the 'Cabinet,' on Monday morning, to discuss the security implications and increasing American pressure. These consultations come at a sensitive time when Netanyahu is trying to balance the pressures from the far-right in his government with the requirements of the strategic relationship with the Trump administration.\n\nPrevious reports indicate that Netanyahu links the continuation of military operations to his stay in power, to escape legal prosecutions related to corruption cases and previous security failures. This conflict of interest between Washington and Tel Aviv raises questions about Netanyahu's ability to adhere to the commitments he made to Trump in the last call.\n\nOn the diplomatic front, Trump revealed in an interview with American media the possibility of signing an agreement with Iran within a few days, suggesting it could happen by the middle of next week. He explicitly called on Tehran to return to the negotiating table, considering the recent missile attack should be the end of mutual military escalation.\n\n"The US President affirmed that he is 'not happy' with the Israeli attacks on Beirut, stressing that they occurred without coordination with Washington. He warned that any new Israeli response would exacerbate the situation and prolong the conflict that has drained the region for decades, which the current administration completely rejects.\n\nIn a related context, regional mediations led by countries such as Qatar and Pakistan are emerging to bridge the views between Tehran and Washington, efforts that Trump relies on to close the Iranian file. It appears that these mediations have reached advanced stages, which has prompted the White House to strongly pressure Israel to prevent any sabotage that could undermine these endeavors.\n\nObservers believe that tensions between Trump and Netanyahu may escalate in the coming period, especially with major international events approaching that Trump seeks to exploit as a platform to announce his political successes. While Trump seeks a 'grand deal,' Netanyahu finds himself facing existential threats to his political future if the cannons cease their roar.\n\nThe Israeli army, for its part, remains on high alert, with its commanders stating that forces are ready to strike targets deep inside Iran once they receive the 'green light.' This disparity between Israeli military rhetoric and American political demand places the region on a hot plate, awaiting what the next few days will bring.\n\nTrump's insistence on resolving the Iranian file through diplomacy puts Netanyahu in a tight corner, especially since the US administration has begun to hint that responsibility for any failure will fall on the obstructing party. Washington considers the current moment a 'pivotal moment' that does not tolerate maneuvering or playing on the edge of the abyss.\n\nIn conclusion, the question remains about the extent of this Israeli 'patience' in the face of any new field provocations, and in light of Netanyahu's desire to sabotage any agreement that might end the state of emergency that grants him political protection. The coming days will reveal whether American diplomacy will succeed in curbing the escalation, or if the region is heading towards a comprehensive confrontation.\n\nI am the ultimate decision-maker, and I do not believe Netanyahu is the one who determines that; he must accept any agreement we reach with Iran.