World Israel News Staff
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over the weekend urged President Donald Trump to hold off on entering into a ceasefire with Iran, a senior Israeli official said, arguing that the time is not yet ripe to end the war.
On Monday, Israel’s Channel 12 published a report citing the unnamed official, who said that Netanyahu used his congratulatory telephone call to Trump on Sunday to lobby the president not to sign on to a truce deal at this time.
Netanyahu confirmed on Monday that he spoke by phone with the president to offer his “immense appreciation for the heroic rescue operation of that American aircrew member,” after a US Air Force colonel serving as an F-15 weapons systems officer was recovered from Iran.
In a statement released by the Prime Minister’s Office, Netanyahu touted Trump’s recent comments in support of Israel and lauding Israeli assistance during the rescue operation.
“He spoke of us in superlatives. He said: ‘You guys are great.’ He views Israel as a steadfast, determined, and firm ally that fights shoulder-to-shoulder alongside the United States, and together, we are continuing to crush Iran’s regime of terror,” Netanyahu said.
According to the source cited in Monday’s report, Netanyahu also used the call with Trump to make the case that ending the conflict now would be premature.
Trump, however, was not convinced, the official said, emphasizing in his response to Netanyahu that if Iran agrees to American demands, the US is willing to accept an immediate ceasefire.
The president did note that Iran must surrender its entire stockpile of enriched uranium if a truce is to be reached.
US officials close to Trump told Channel 12 that Tehran is unlikely to accept American conditions for a ceasefire.
In addition to Netanyahu’s lobbying efforts, Gulf Arab leaders, including Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, have also pressed Trump not to end the war with Iran at this time, expressing concerns that Iran’s ballistic missile and drone arsenal could still threaten Gulf oil facilities.
