U.S. President Donald Trump recently urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to take any action that could disrupt the ongoing nuclear talks between the United States and Iran. The call, made last Thursday, came amid growing concerns within the Trump administration that Israel might carry out a military strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities.
According to a senior White House official and other sources familiar with the matter, Trump made it clear that now is not the time for escalation. He emphasized his desire to pursue a diplomatic solution, stating that a military option is still available but will only be considered if talks fail.
Fear of an Israeli Strike
U.S. officials worry that Israel might act independently to bomb Iranian nuclear sites, especially if it believes the window for a successful strike is closing. Reports suggest that Israeli leaders, including Netanyahu, have been preparing for such a move in case the nuclear negotiations collapse. Trump and other senior officials have expressed concern that a sudden military strike could derail the fragile progress made so far in the talks.
Trump’s message was direct: “Don’t take steps that could ruin the chances of peace.” He reminded Netanyahu that diplomacy should be given a chance to work before any other actions are considered.
High-Level Meetings in Washington
Following the call, key Israeli officials — including Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer and Mossad Chief David Barnea — traveled to Washington. There, they met with U.S. Vice President JD Vance, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, White House envoy Steve Witkoff, and other top officials to discuss the negotiations and share concerns about Iran’s nuclear program.
Progress in Rome Talks
Meanwhile, on May 23, U.S. and Iranian officials met in Rome for the fifth round of nuclear negotiations. The talks were led by Trump’s regional envoy Steve Witkoff and Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, with Oman acting as a mediator. Both sides reported some progress, though final agreements have not yet been reached.
President Trump said the discussions showed “real progress” and hinted that “good news” might be coming soon.
Kristi Noem Delivers Trump’s Message in Jerusalem
On Sunday, U.S. Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem visited Jerusalem and held a meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu. She echoed Trump’s call for restraint, urging Netanyahu not to take any actions that might sabotage the ongoing negotiations.
Speaking to Fox News, Noem said she had a “direct conversation” with Netanyahu and asked him to coordinate closely with Trump. “Give us a week,” she told him, noting that Trump is committed to deciding within days, not weeks or months.
Iran’s Warning
Iran has also responded strongly to Israel’s threats. Iranian military leaders have warned that any attack by Israel would be met with a swift and powerful response. General Abdulrahim Mousavi said Iran is fully prepared to strike back and that Israel would not be able to handle the consequences of such a conflict.
Recent military drills and operations — including last year’s “True Promise” missile strikes — have demonstrated Iran’s capabilities, with officials saying only a small portion of their firepower was used.
The situation remains tense as the U.S. pushes for a diplomatic breakthrough while trying to keep its allies, especially Israel, from taking matters into their own hands. As talks continue, the coming days will be critical in determining whether a peaceful deal can be reached or if the region moves closer to conflict.
