Trump Says New Israel, Iran Strikes Won’t Shake Peace Talks

President Trump claimed that fresh attacks from Israel and Iran would not derail his administration’s negotiations with Tehran, asserting that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu “doesn’t call the shots. ” He has urged Israel to pause its operations in Lebanon so that a broader agreement with Iran can be reached, even after calling Netanyahu “obscenities” on a recent phone call. Despite this, Israel launched airstrikes near Beirut earlier that day—the first since the U. S. announced a truce plan for Lebanon last week. Iran responded by firing missiles at Israeli targets, a move that threatens the fragile talks between Washington and Tehran. Trump maintained that an end to the wider conflict is still achievable, telling the Financial Times that “it’s not going to have any impact on the deal. ” He added, “I call the shots. I call all the shots. He doesn’t call the shots. ” Five hours after Iran’s missile launch, Netanyahu had not yet made a public statement about the attack. The latest flare‑up pushed oil prices above $95 a barrel, with Brent futures climbing over 2% early Monday. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards claimed they targeted Ramat David air base near Nazareth, while Israel said it intercepted missiles identified as coming from Iran. Trump was spending the weekend at his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey, when he spoke to Netanyahu for just under half an hour. During the call, Trump urged Israel to stop further strikes because “we are close to doing something good in terms of a deal, ” according to a U. S. official quoted by Axios. The Israeli military later stated that its forces had not been ordered to attack Iran, but would do so “with determination” if given the directive.Since U. S. –Iran talks began to halt the war, Israel has continued operations in Lebanon against Hezbollah, a conflict that Israeli officials argue is separate from any ceasefire with Iran. Tehran insists that any peace agreement must include a halt to fighting in Lebanon, citing Israel’s March invasion of the area to pursue Iran‑backed Hezbollah fighters. Iran’s chief negotiator, Mohammed Baqer Qalibaf, said U. S. bases and Israeli assets are legitimate targets due to “hostile acts” and violations of agreements over Lebanon. Before Sunday, Iran had not attacked Israel since the April truce began, though Hezbollah has fired at Israeli positions. Trump repeatedly stresses that Washington and Tehran are close to a deal, warning in a pre‑recorded interview that “or I’m going to blow the hell out of them. ” Israel’s continuous campaign in Lebanon has caused thousands of deaths and displaced hundreds of thousands, while Hezbollah claims it will not relinquish weapons unless Israel stops its attacks and withdraws. The broader war has stalled since early April, with Iran blocking shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and Washington imposing its own blockade on Iranian ports. Both sides have exchanged strikes, including attacks on Arab states hosting U. S. bases. Trump insists any agreement must prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons, and he faces pressure to deliver tougher terms than the 2015 deal under President Obama. Tehran demands lifting U. S. and international sanctions, recognition of its control over the strait, and release of billions in frozen assets. A U. S. source said Washington could redirect Iranian assets to Gulf neighbors for reparations, a move Tehran’s deputy foreign minister declared illegal. Netanyahu faced criticism from political rivals over a new ceasefire in Lebanon ahead of this year’s national election.