Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is calling US President Donald Trump daily to urge him to resume the war against Iran and launch a new military offensive, as officials inside and outside the White House seek to counter the pressure and persuade the US president to prioritize negotiations.
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The British newspaper Financial Times quoted a person familiar with the discussions as saying: "Netanyahu calls him every day to urge him to resume the war." The source added that those opposed to renewed confrontation are trying to resist these efforts, while regional leaders are urging Trump to avoid escalation and give negotiations priority.
The discussions concern US options for resuming military operations against Iran and efforts to reach an interim agreement to end the confrontation. These talks are taking place amid disagreements over Iran's nuclear programme, the US blockade of Iranian ports, and the conditions for reopening the Strait of Hormuz to maritime traffic.
Meanwhile, a person familiar with the situation in Israel said Netanyahu wants military operations against Iran to resume, but noted that there is currently no Israeli effort underway to pressure Trump into taking that step.
Amid these pressures, Trump spoke of "positive momentum" towards ending the war with Iran, saying that a new US attack on the Islamic Republic appeared "highly unlikely."
The US president made the remarks following a meeting with Qatar's Prime Minister and Foreign Minister, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani, whose government is leading regional mediation efforts to reach an interim agreement between the parties. The comments also followed telephone conversations Trump held with several regional leaders.
Trump said renewed US strikes against Iran appeared unlikely, adding that he would maintain the current situation in response to the wishes of countries neighbouring Iran.
Over the past several days, leaders from Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and Turkey have contacted Trump to persuade him to give diplomacy more time to end the war, which is approaching its ninth month.
According to people familiar with the conversations, as cited by the newspaper, those who spoke with the US president included Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, and Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
These diplomatic efforts come amid regional concerns that Trump could order fresh attacks on Iran, particularly following the Republican Party's poor performance in last week's midterm elections.
Public support for the US-Israeli war against Iran and its impact on fuel prices were among the central issues in the elections, while Trump continued to consider the military options available against Tehran.
Arab and Muslim leaders share the view that any renewed escalation would push the region into a deeper crisis, amid fears of a broad Iranian response targeting countries across the region.
For its part, Iran has reaffirmed its readiness to respond to any attacks, warning that it could target undersea cables in the Strait of Hormuz and regional data centres, potentially expanding the conflict beyond the Middle East.
Fears of further escalation have grown as mediators have spent weeks struggling to overcome the deadlock between the warring parties over an interim agreement proposal that had been under consideration before the midterm elections.
The two sides are working with mediators to finalize the details of a proposal based on a version of a seven-day plan submitted by Tehran last September, which Trump rejected at the time.
Under the proposal, Iran would allow freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for the United States lifting its blockade of Iranian ports, allowing Tehran to export oil and granting it access to some of its frozen assets abroad. The two sides would then resume negotiations to reach a final agreement.
Key points of disagreement include the sequence of implementing the proposed measures and the fate of Iran's stockpile of 440 kilograms of highly enriched uranium.
Sources familiar with the negotiations said Washington wants Iran to allow International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors to visit its main nuclear facilities, which were bombed by the United States during a 12-day confrontation last year. The uranium stockpile is believed to be buried beneath the rubble.
The White House insists that Iran must relinquish its stockpile of uranium enriched to levels approaching those required for nuclear weapons production and transfer it outside the country. However, Iranian officials have publicly rejected any such move.
Source: Financial Times and news agencies
