US President Donald Trump has urged Israel to avoid retaliation after Iran launched missile strikes, saying Washington is close to finalizing a diplomatic agreement with Tehran. He warned that further escalation could undermine ongoing negotiations and prolong instability across the Middle East.
Meanwhile, Trump said he would directly advise Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to hold back from any military response. He stressed that both Iran and Israel should stop exchanging attacks, arguing that Tehran had already fired missiles and should now return to talks to secure a deal.
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At the same time, Trump insisted that Washington and Tehran were very close to reaching a final agreement before the latest violence disrupted progress. He said the proposed deal remained viable despite the escalation and urged both sides to continue negotiations without allowing conflict to derail diplomacy.
Furthermore, Trump stated that he had told Netanyahu in a phone call to avoid retaliation, warning that another Israeli strike could extend the conflict. A senior US official noted that Israel was not given approval for earlier strikes, while discussions between leaders reflected growing pressure to de-escalate tensions.
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In addition, Trump reiterated that any agreement with Iran must permanently block the country from developing nuclear weapons. He warned that if diplomacy fails, the United States could resort to military action, although he emphasized his preference for a negotiated settlement over prolonged conflict.
Despite rising tensions, Trump said diplomatic efforts are continuing and US forces remain deployed in the region to support stability. He also stated that sanctions relief and asset unfreezing would only occur after a formal agreement is reached, while negotiations continue under intense regional pressure.