Trump tells Israel not to retaliate against Iran; Netanyahu agrees to back down, US officials say

Former U.S. President Donald Trump has called on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to refrain from retaliating against Iran's recent missile strikes, according to U.S. officials. Trump reportedly made the appeal in a phone call, emphasizing that Israel should not respond aggressively to the attacks that occurred on June 7.

U.S. officials familiar with the conversation revealed that Netanyahu initially expressed reservations about Trump's suggestion but ultimately agreed to hold back from immediate military action. This development comes as Trump expressed confidence that the U.S. is close to reaching a "good deal" with Iran.

Trump's intervention aims to prevent further escalation and protect the ongoing diplomatic efforts. He conveyed to Netanyahu that retaliating could jeopardize the potential agreement with Iran, which he believes is in its final stages. The former president stressed that after three months of negotiations, it is crucial not to risk undermining the progress made.

This conversation marks a shift from previous interactions between Trump and Netanyahu, described as more measured than a prior "heated exchange." The U.S. officials believe Trump has bought some time and that an immediate Israeli attack is unlikely, given the critical juncture in negotiations.