Netanyahu calls Trump ‘every day’ to push for fresh strikes on Iran, says report

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been calling US President Donald Trump almost daily to press for renewed military strikes against Iran, even as Arab leaders and officials within the American administration seek to prevent another escalation of the nearly nine-month conflict, according to a Financial Times report.

The reported lobbying comes at a sensitive moment in Washington's diplomatic efforts to negotiate an end to the war, with Trump signalling that further large-scale military operations against Tehran are unlikely for now.

Citing a person briefed on the discussions, the Financial Times reported that Netanyahu had repeatedly urged Trump to resume the military campaign against Iran.

The source said individuals within and outside the White House who opposed renewed fighting were attempting to counter Netanyahu's efforts.

Another person familiar with the situation in Israel said Netanyahu wanted military operations against Iran to resume but disputed suggestions that there was currently a coordinated campaign to persuade Trump.

𝗚𝘂𝗹𝗳 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗽𝘂𝘀𝗵 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗱𝗶𝗽𝗹𝗼𝗺𝗮𝗰𝘆

The report said Netanyahu's persistent efforts had alarmed several Arab and Muslim leaders, who were urging the US president to prioritise negotiations rather than launch another military offensive.

Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, UAE President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan were among the leaders who had contacted Trump in recent days.

Their diplomatic outreach was aimed at preventing renewed hostilities that could trigger Iranian retaliation and destabilise the wider region.

Qatar has been playing a central role in efforts to negotiate an interim arrangement between Washington and Tehran.

Following discussions with Qatari Prime Minister Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani on Monday, Trump acknowledged that several Gulf countries preferred avoiding another military escalation.

In a post on Truth Social, Trump said Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Bahrain and Kuwait favoured maintaining the existing situation, including the American naval blockade of Iran.

𝗧𝗿𝘂𝗺𝗽 𝗳𝗮𝘃𝗼𝘂𝗿𝘀 𝗲𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗼𝗺𝗶𝗰 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘀𝘂𝗿𝗲

Despite Netanyahu's reported appeals, Trump has indicated that Washington would prefer maintaining economic pressure on Tehran rather than immediately resuming major combat operations.

The US president said there was positive momentum towards ending the conflict and suggested that renewed American strikes were unlikely.

His comments followed discussions on a proposed diplomatic framework intended to reduce tensions and restore commercial shipping through the Strait of Hormuz.

The United States has maintained a naval blockade of Iranian ports as part of its campaign to pressure Tehran.

Trump has argued that the blockade and other economic restrictions are weakening Iran's position and could help secure an agreement without another large-scale military offensive.

However, the US has continued occasional limited strikes against Iranian targets, indicating that military operations have not ceased entirely.

𝗜𝗿𝗮𝗻 𝗱𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗿𝗲𝗺𝗮𝗶𝗻𝘀 𝘂𝗻𝗰𝗲𝗿𝘁𝗮𝗶𝗻

Diplomatic efforts are focused on a possible interim arrangement under which Iran would restore freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for the lifting of the American blockade and other economic concessions.

Tehran has also sought the release of frozen overseas assets and renewed negotiations on a broader settlement addressing its nuclear programme.

However, substantial differences remain over the sequencing of concessions, sanctions relief and Iran's stockpile of highly enriched uranium.

Washington wants stronger assurances concerning Tehran's nuclear activities, while Iran has resisted demands to transfer its enriched uranium stockpile abroad.

The disagreement has complicated efforts to secure even a temporary arrangement.

𝗜𝘀𝗿𝗮𝗲𝗹 𝘀𝗲𝗲𝗸𝘀 𝗵𝗮𝗿𝗱𝗲𝗿 𝗮𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻

Netanyahu has consistently advocated a more aggressive approach towards Iran, arguing that military pressure is necessary to eliminate threats posed by Tehran's nuclear and military capabilities.

The Israeli leader, who remains caretaker prime minister following an inconclusive election last month, has reportedly favoured renewed US-Israeli strikes aimed at weakening Iran's leadership.

According to separate reports, Netanyahu and Trump held a conversation last week about their approach towards Tehran, during which the Israeli prime minister pressed for immediate military action following the US midterm elections.

Trump, however, opted to allow diplomatic negotiations to continue.

Iranian officials have warned that renewed attacks by the United States or Israel would invite retaliation, potentially targeting regional infrastructure and strategic assets.

The contrasting positions highlight the competing pressures facing Washington, with Israel advocating renewed military action while Gulf countries seek to prevent a wider confrontation.

For now, Trump's public statements suggest that economic pressure and diplomacy remain his preferred approach, despite Netanyahu's reported efforts to persuade him to restart the military campaign.