Washington (TDI): US President Donald Trump has said that renewed strikes between Israel and Iran will not disrupt ongoing efforts to reach a peace agreement with Tehran, insisting that progress toward a deal is still possible.
Speaking to the Financial Times, Trump said the developments would not change the course of negotiations and emphasized that ultimate decisions rest with his administration. He also said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “doesn’t call the shots,” underlining Washington’s central role in the process.
Trump has reportedly pressured Israel to limit its military actions in Lebanon to create space for broader talks with Iran. However, Israeli strikes were carried out in the Beirut area shortly before the latest exchange of fire with Iran, which included Iranian missile attacks on Israeli targets in response.
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The escalation briefly pushed global oil prices higher, with Brent crude rising above $95 a barrel as markets reacted to renewed instability in the region.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guards said they targeted Israel’s Ramat David airbase near Nazareth, while Israel confirmed it had intercepted incoming missiles.
Following the latest developments, Trump held a phone call with Netanyahu lasting around half an hour. According to officials cited in reports, Trump urged restraint and said the US is close to securing a broader agreement, suggesting that continued strikes could undermine negotiations.
Despite the tensions, Israeli military officials said they had not yet been instructed to carry out further strikes on Iran but warned they would act if ordered.
The conflict remains intertwined with ongoing violence in Lebanon, where Israel continues operations against Hezbollah. Tehran maintains that any agreement with the United States must include a ceasefire in Lebanon, while Israel argues the two issues should be treated separately.
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Iranian officials have also warned that US bases and Israeli assets could be considered legitimate targets in response to what they describe as violations of previous understandings.
Trump, meanwhile, has continued to express confidence that a deal is close, though he has also warned of strong action if diplomacy fails.
