Media: US President asks Israeli PM to “drop subject” of attacking Iran

A source involved in the talks between US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said that the prime minister asked that the White House end the negotiations on a nuclear deal with Iran.

The source added that Trump told Netanyahu to drop the subject of a military strike against Iranian nuclear reactors from the public discourse, and that the prime minister will not get a green light to conduct such an attack in the near future, Caliber.Az reports via Israeli media.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump held a 40-minute phone conversation on June 9 evening to discuss ongoing nuclear negotiations with Iran, just as Tehran prepares a counter-offer to Washington’s latest proposal.

Following the call, Netanyahu convened a high-level security meeting focused on Iran, involving senior officials including National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, Defence Minister Israel Katz, Shas leader Aryeh Deri, and Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer.

According to reports, Netanyahu also instructed Dermer and Mossad chief David Barnea to meet with US special envoy Steve Witkoff ahead of the next round of talks.

The Prime Minister’s Office released a brief statement on the call, noting that Trump “told the Prime Minister that the United States has presented a reasonable proposal to Iran and is expected to receive its response in the coming days.” It added that Trump “plans to hold another round of talks with Iran over the weekend,” but did not provide details on Netanyahu’s remarks during the conversation.

Speaking to reporters at the White House, Trump said the conversation “went very well” and covered various topics including the nuclear talks. He noted that the US has a meeting with Iran scheduled for June 12, and emphasized the goal of avoiding conflict.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei confirmed that the next round of indirect US-Iran negotiations is planned for June 15 in Muscat.

By Vafa Guliyeva