Trump warns Netanyahu: ‘You’ll be on your own’ if attacks on Iran continue

United States President Donald Trump warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Israel could be "on its own" if it continues attacks on Iran. This warning came as Israel and Iran paused attacks following their most serious escalation since an April ceasefire. Trump reportedly called Netanyahu to urge him to stop strikes, expressing exasperation with the Israeli leader. The recent flare-up began with an Israeli bombardment of Beirut, leading to Iranian missile responses against northern Israel and Israeli strikes on Iranian air defense systems and a petrochemical plant. Despite the exchange, no deaths were reported on either side. Diplomatic efforts for a peace deal between the US and Iran, with Pakistan as an intermediary, are ongoing, with both sides expressing hope for an agreement.

Fears of a wider regional war in the Middle East have eased after Israel and Iran announced a halt to attacks following an appeal from Donald Trump. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu acknowledged the pause, stating that Iran stopped attacking after being struck, but vowed forceful retaliation for future attacks. The recent exchanges involved Iranian ballistic missile attacks on Israel and Israeli retaliatory strikes, escalating tensions that also involved Houthi rebels. Analysts consider the current ceasefire fragile due to multiple potential flashpoints, including ongoing Israeli operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon. Despite pressure from Trump, Netanyahu faces domestic pressure to continue degrading Hezbollah's capabilities. The violence had previously impacted financial markets, causing oil prices to rise.

Iran's armed forces announced they have halted military operations against Israel following an exchange of strikes. This exchange began after Iran launched approximately 30 missiles at Israel in retaliation for a strike in Beirut, which killed two people. Israel responded with two waves of air strikes on military targets in western and central Iran. U.S. President Donald Trump reportedly requested Israel halt its strikes on Iran, but Israeli attacks on southern Lebanon would continue. The conflict escalated after a joint Israeli-U.S. attack on Iran on February 28th, leading to a regional war and a subsequent ceasefire brokered in April. However, sporadic attacks have continued, drawing Lebanon into the conflict.

Iran's recent large-scale military exchanges with Israel have broadened the conflict, drawing Yemen's Houthis back in and emboldening some in Tehran to advocate for an end to ceasefire talks with the US. These hardliners, potentially influenced by the Strait of Hormuz blockade, see this as a "point of no return." However, a minority faction believes Iran can leverage tensions between Israel and the US to accelerate a deal, especially given perceived US diplomatic and military weakness. Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson insists dialogue with the US continues, though he also suggests Israel may be trying to sabotage these talks. Iran's demands include a ceasefire in Lebanon, unfreezing assets, and managing the Strait of Hormuz, with discussions on its nuclear program to follow.

U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who initially acted in unison regarding the war in the Middle East, now have diverging objectives. Trump wants to de-escalate the conflict to ease gas prices and faces upcoming elections, while Netanyahu aims to eliminate Hezbollah's threat and demonstrate victory, also facing elections. Recent Israeli strikes on Lebanon and Iran have highlighted these differences, with Trump publicly warning against striking Beirut, which led to Iranian missile retaliation and subsequent Israeli strikes on Iran. Despite these public disagreements, both leaders have downplayed the rifts, with Netanyahu asserting Israel's right to self-defense and Trump suggesting occasional, uncoordinated actions. The ongoing tensions, particularly concerning Lebanon, underscore the complex political considerations driving their differing strategies.

Iran has hailed its recent military strikes against Israel as a new "strategic doctrine" prioritizing offensive power and taking initiative. This shift follows an exchange of fire initiated by Iran in response to Israeli strikes on Beirut's Dahiyeh suburb. Iranian authorities stated they acted to enforce a deterrent warning, diverging from a previous policy of delayed retaliation. The strikes targeted Israeli military bases and infrastructure, while Israel claimed to hit sites supporting Iran's missile program. The exchange, which also saw Israeli airstrikes on Iranian cities and petrochemical plants, has raised concerns of renewed conflict, though Iran has indicated its immediate attacks are over but warned of harsher responses if Israeli targeting persists.

Oil prices rose in Asian trading on Monday after Iran launched missile strikes against Israel, marking the first such attacks since an April ceasefire. The global Brent benchmark increased by 2.6% to $95.50 a barrel, and US crude rose 2.5% to $92.75. Iran's Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps stated these strikes are the beginning of a week-long series of attacks. Despite Israel's military indicating readiness to retaliate, former US President Donald Trump reportedly plans to urge Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to retaliate, citing proximity to a deal with Iran. The article notes that the April ceasefire has been repeatedly violated by both nations, and oil prices have seen significant fluctuations since earlier strikes in February.

Iranian officials have warned that Israel's escalating attacks in Lebanon and Gaza threaten to derail ongoing ceasefire negotiations with the United States. Iran insists that any ceasefire must be "on all fronts," including Lebanon, and views Israeli actions as a violation of the existing agreement. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated that the naval blockade and Israeli actions in Lebanon are evidence of US noncompliance. These warnings come as Israel deepens its invasion of southern Lebanon and threatens Beirut, though US President Donald Trump claimed to have received assurances that troops would not advance on the city and that Hezbollah agreed to a halt in shooting. Iran is reportedly demanding an immediate cessation of Israeli operations in Gaza and Lebanon and a complete withdrawal from occupied areas before resuming talks.

Iran has warned that Israeli strikes on Hezbollah in Lebanon jeopardize its ceasefire agreement with the United States. This warning comes after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered attacks on Beirut's southern suburbs in retaliation for Hezbollah rocket and drone attacks on northern Israel. Iran's Foreign Minister stated that the US agreement was a ceasefire on all fronts, including Lebanon, and any violation would constitute a breach of the entire truce. Iran's Tasnim news agency reported that Tehran might suspend indirect negotiations with the US and could "activate other fronts." While Iranian authorities have not publicly confirmed the Tasnim report, state television indicated a high probability of the ceasefire ending if Israel continues its offensive in Lebanon. The US has attempted to decouple events in Lebanon from its negotiations with Iran.

According to Axios, President Trump reportedly shouted and cursed at Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu during a phone call on Monday. The confrontation occurred after Israel threatened to resume airstrikes on Beirut's southern suburbs targeting Hezbollah, following drone strikes into Israel. Trump allegedly expressed anger, stating Netanyahu was "crazy" and that Israel was being hated because of these actions. This call followed Iran's announcement that it would suspend peace talks with the US over Israel's campaign in southern Lebanon. However, Israeli media, specifically Channel 12, contested the report, with its chief political analyst stating Trump did not personally attack Netanyahu and that an agreement was reached for Israel to refrain from attacking Beirut suburbs if Hezbollah ceased its attacks.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Israel and Hezbollah have agreed to a halt in fighting following indirect talks. Trump stated he spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and, through intermediaries, with Hezbollah. According to Lebanon's embassy in Washington, Hezbollah agreed to stop attacks on Israel in exchange for Israel ceasing strikes on Beirut and its southern suburbs. Netanyahu confirmed discussions with Trump but indicated Israel would proceed with strikes on Beirut if Hezbollah attacks continue. This development comes amid ongoing Israeli operations in southern Lebanon, which have resulted in significant casualties and displacement. While Hezbollah has expressed support for a full ceasefire, Israel has issued new displacement orders for southern Beirut suburbs and continued artillery fire in southern Lebanon.

Benjamin Netanyahu is presented as an obstacle to a potential peace deal between the United States and Iran, particularly concerning the Strait of Hormuz. Israel's military operations in Lebanon have become a point of contention, straining the alliance between President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu. Netanyahu faces domestic pressure due to upcoming elections and a pending corruption trial, needing to demonstrate results from his campaigns against Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran. Threats of Israeli strikes on Beirut led Iran to pause negotiations with the US, prompting a reportedly tense call between Trump and Netanyahu. While Trump later downplayed the incident, Netanyahu's actions are seen as driven by his need to project strength for electoral survival, potentially complicating US diplomatic efforts.

Israel and Lebanon have agreed to renew their fragile ceasefire, following a fourth round of US-mediated talks at the State Department. The agreement includes the creation of "pilot" security zones within Lebanon, from which Hezbollah militants would be banned. This ceasefire is contingent upon a complete cessation of Hezbollah fire and the evacuation of all Hezbollah operatives from areas south of the Litani River. The Lebanese army is expected to take full control of these security zones, though the specifics of their establishment remain unclear.

Israel and Lebanon have agreed to a ceasefire to end hostilities, announced by the Trump administration. This agreement is contingent on Hezbollah ceasing all fire and evacuating its operatives from southern Lebanon. The US stated this ceasefire is a step towards overcoming barriers to a broader deal with Iran. The two nations also agreed to establish "pilot zones" under exclusive Lebanese armed forces control. Hezbollah, not a party to the talks, stated it would not accept a partial ceasefire. This development follows continued cross-border attacks and comes as the US seeks to resolve the Iran conflict, which is impacting global commerce and US midterm election prospects.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu downplayed reports of a rift with US President Donald Trump, despite Trump confirming he recently criticized Netanyahu for his actions in Lebanon. Netanyahu stated their relationship remains strong, characterizing disagreements as tactical, similar to those in families, and emphasized their shared goal of disarming Hezbollah. Trump acknowledged he had "harsh words" for Netanyahu over Israel's escalation in Lebanon, which risked derailing US-Iran talks, but also expressed his liking for the Israeli leader. The conflict in southern Lebanon has continued despite Trump's claim that both sides agreed to a ceasefire. Netanyahu asserted that he and Trump share the objective of achieving peace with Lebanon by disarming Hezbollah.