Egypt Daily News – On Wednesday, President Donald Trump said he recently warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against taking steps that could disrupt ongoing nuclear negotiations with Iran.
Speaking to reporters, Trump stated, “I told him it would be inappropriate to act now because we are very close to reaching a solution.” He added, “That could change at any moment.”
Israel had earlier denied a report by The New York Times claiming that Netanyahu was threatening to sabotage U.S.-Iran nuclear talks by launching strikes on Iran’s main uranium enrichment facilities.
According to the paper, Israeli officials are concerned that Trump’s eagerness to strike a deal with Iran might lead him to allow Tehran to retain its enrichment sites—something Israel considers a red line.
The report also highlighted Israel’s particular concern over the possibility of a temporary agreement that would allow Iran to keep its nuclear infrastructure for months or even years while a final deal is negotiated.
U.S. intelligence reportedly believes that Israel could carry out a strike on Iran within as little as seven hours, which has raised concerns in Washington about the possibility of unilateral Israeli action.
In response to the report, Netanyahu’s office issued a statement calling it “fake news.”
However, The New York Times stood by its reporting. A spokesperson for the paper said in an email, “Our coverage of this matter is thorough and based on discussions with individuals directly familiar with it. We remain confident in what we’ve published.”
The newspaper reported that Netanyahu’s Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer and Mossad Chief David Barnea met with President Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff in Rome on Friday. The two then traveled to Washington to meet with CIA Director John Ratcliffe on Monday, followed by another meeting between Dermer and Witkoff on Tuesday.
One of the main sticking points in U.S.-Iran negotiations has been the American demand that Iran dismantle its uranium enrichment facilities—a demand Iran has firmly rejected.
U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem said on Monday that she had a “very frank” conversation with Netanyahu regarding the Iran talks. She noted that Trump had asked her to emphasize “the importance of maintaining our unity and allowing the process to continue.”
Trump did not visit Israel during his recent Middle East trip and made remarks that unsettled some in Israel, raising questions about the traditionally strong U.S.-Israel relationship.
While Netanyahu dismissed speculation about tensions with the U.S. administration, Trump also downplayed any suggestion of a rift.
