Last Updated:
Trump, who has reportedly grown increasingly frustrated with Netanyahu, had urged both Israel and Iran to stop “shooting” and said “final negotiations” for peace were underway.
US President Donald Trump had urged Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu against any military escalation in Lebanon. (Reuters/File)
Israel’s Ambassador to the US, Yechiel Leiter, on Tuesday downplayed United States President Donald Trump’s warning to Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over Tehran strikes as a “lovers’ spat”.
Israel and Iran announced that the hostilities between them have paused after a continuous exchange of strikes between the two nations, which seemed to be escalating the ongoing war amid peace talks.
Trump Warns, Then Israel, Iran Halt Strikes
According to Axios, Israel was preparing what two Israeli officials described as its largest wave of strikes on Iran since April, with dozens of sensitive targets reportedly slated for attack on Monday.
However, Trump called his ‘good friend’ Netanyahu and asked him to stop the strikes. He further warned Netanyahu that Israel will loose backing of the United States if it launches more strikes against Tehran.
“I said, ‘Bibi, you better be careful, or you will be on your own very soon,'” Trump told Axios.
An Israeli source said the call between the two leaders involved disagreements but ultimately ended with Netanyahu agreeing to hold off on the planned strikes, provided Iran did not launch any attacks.
Also Read: ‘Be Careful Or You’ll Be Left Alone Against Iran’: Trump Warns Netanyahu Against Escalation Of War
Following the conversation, Netanyahu instructed his senior military commanders to cancel the planned operation.
Trump also claimed that his administration received messages from Iran on Monday morning indicating a willingness to halt attacks if Israel reciprocated.
“They called us and said that they are not doing any more attacks and asked us to tell Israel not to do any more attacks,” Trump said.
Meanwhile, taking to Truth Social, Trump said, “Both sides, Israel and Iran, are looking to do an immediate CEASEFIRE! Final negotiations on “Peace” are proceeding, subject to ignorance or stupidity getting in its way”.
The tensions had escalated after Israel launched strikes on Hezbollah-linked targets in Beirut, triggering a retaliatory missile barrage from Iran and heightening fears of a wider regional conflict.
‘A Lover’s Spat’
However, speaking to Fox News, Israel’s Ambassador to the US, Yechiel Leiter, called the conversations between the two world leaders “cooperative” and alleged that a misleading narrative is being played up by the journalists.
“They have a deep friendship that goes back some 40 years, and sometimes lovers have a spat, and sometimes the tension in the room and on the conversation can get a little heated,” Leiter said, while speaking to Fox News.
Also Read: Trump Says ‘Very Close To Final Deal With Iran’, Urges Netanyahu To Prevent Further Escalation
He accepted that the Israeli leader “decided” to “lower the temperature” on military action against Iran at the request of Trump, but added that the US president understands “full well” Israel can’t “absorb ballistic missiles into our country without responding”.
“For the most part, we’re dealing with a very, very close collaborative effort between the United States and Israel, and there’s tremendous understanding,” the envoy added.
US-Iran Peace Talks
The current peace negotiations follow months of escalating hostilities between the US and Iran that culminated in a brief but intense conflict involving attacks on military and strategic targets across the region.
Also Read: ‘We Decide When To Act’: Netanyahu Told Trump Israel Will Defend Itself After Iran Strikes
The fighting disrupted shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global oil transit route, before both sides agreed to a ceasefire.
About the Author
Prisha is the Chief Sub-Editor at News18.com, with more than 10 years of experience in national and international news. She specialises in editorial leadership, sharp news judgment, and high-impact st…Read More
Washington D.C., United States of America (USA)
Read More
