United States President Donald Trump has revealed that he urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to hold off on any strike against Iran, citing ongoing negotiations aimed at reviving a nuclear agreement with Tehran.
Speaking at the White House on Wednesday, Trump told reporters he advised Netanyahu that a strike “would be inappropriate to do right now because we’re very close to a solution.” Several rounds of talks have reportedly taken place in Oman and Italy, with hopes of reaching a new deal.
Netanyahu has been threatening to attack Iran’s nuclear facilities, while Iran has warned of severe retaliation if such an attack occurs.
According to two Iranian sources close to the negotiations, Tehran may pause its uranium enrichment activities for a year if the US agrees to release frozen Iranian funds and publicly recognises Iran’s right to enrich uranium for civilian use under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
This potential “political understanding” could pave the way for a broader agreement. However, the key sticking point remains: while the US insists Iran must halt uranium enrichment, Iran maintains it has the right to enrich uranium for peaceful purposes.
The 2015 nuclear deal, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), placed strict limits on Iran’s nuclear programme in exchange for sanctions relief. It collapsed after Trump withdrew the US from the agreement in 2018, sparking renewed tensions.
Talks are ongoing, with negotiators for both sides having recently held a fifth round of discussions, mediated by Oman, in Rome.
The head of the UN’s International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Rafael Mariano Grossi, said that while the jury is still out on whether the US and Iran will reach an agreement, the ongoing dialogue is a positive sign. “I think that is an indication of a willingness to come to an agreement. And I think that… is something possible,” Grossi said.
