The call Thursday between US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu focused on two main issues, a source familiar with the details told Israel Hayom. According to the source, the first and most significant topic was the situation regarding Iran, on which Trump provided an update.
Trump said mediators were working to bring an end to attacks on tankers and ships in the Strait of Hormuz. If the attacks stop, the US will also halt its strikes, and there is a possibility that negotiations could resume. However, he said the chances of such talks ending in an agreement were not high.
The president also informed Netanyahu in advance that he did not intend to carry out strikes in Iran Thursday night, as indeed occurred. He added that he was currently prepared to give negotiations another chance. However, he intends to adopt a tougher policy from now on than the one pursued between the Vance agreement and this week.
The two leaders also briefly discussed the personal threat Iran poses to Trump. According to the source, the conversation was conducted in a positive atmosphere.
Netanyahu made clear that Israel, as before, was aligned with the US on the issue, while expressing the position that the ultimate objective, whether through an agreement or by other means, was to completely prevent Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons and to remove its enriched uranium.
Israel is prepared for a resumption of strikes against Iran if necessary, but will act in full coordination with the US. Trump reiterated the need for full coordination in this arena and more broadly. This means that, at this stage, there will certainly be no Israeli strike in Iran without US approval.
Lebanon was the second major subject of the call. The two leaders agreed that efforts should focus on advancing the understandings reached so far. These include a trial arrangement under which Israel Defense Forces troops would be replaced by Lebanese Armed Forces personnel at two sites in southern Lebanon, as well as accelerating negotiations, which are expected to resume in Rome in the middle of next week.
