NewzTrump and Netanyahu explored all Iran options including attack, Israeli official says US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu explored all paths to curb Iran's nuclear project in their meeting this week, including diplomacy, economic pressure and military force, a senior Israeli official said on Wednesday. Netanyahu did not tell Trump that Israel's preference was for an attack on Iran, the official said in a briefing with reporters on Tuesday. "In the end, it's his decision," the official said of Trump.
Trump has three options, and all three were discussed at length, the official said: "A deal, continuing the blockade and economic pressures, and a massive strike." TEHRAN - US President Donald Trump is attempting to project a fabricated sense of victory over Iran in the wake of his high-stakes talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington. The White House meeting on Tuesday marked the first face-to-face sit-down between Trump and Netanyahu since the United States and Israel jointly launched a full-scale war against Iran on February 28.
The meeting came at a critical juncture, as both the American president and the Israeli premier face escalating domestic outrage and political fallout stemming from the protracted conflict. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed skepticism during his meeting with President Trump about the chance of a deal with Iran and discussed increasing economic pressure on Iran "through kinetic and non-kinetic means," a senior Israeli official said in a briefing with reporters. Why it matters: Tuesday's meeting was the first between Netanyahu and Trump since the start of the war on Feb.
It came as Trump is still trying to reach a deal with Iran but also considering a return to major combat operations. Several hours after the sitdown, Iran launched a missile attack on an American base in Jordan for the first time since Trump paused U.S. Trump vowed a serious response during an interview with Fox News Wednesday.
Iran's surprise attack could push the president toward a full-scale escalation. The Israeli official said Netanyahu is awaiting Trump's decision but made it clear to him that if Iran attacks Israel, the Israeli response will be immediate and powerful.Inside the room: Iran was the main focus of the 90-minute conversation. The Israeli official said they discussed three options Trump is considering for next steps: 1.
Trump envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner are still negotiating with the Iranians, though at the moment the gaps still seem wide. The Israeli official said Netanyahu told Trump he is skeptical an agreement with the Iranians can be struck. Continuing the naval blockade on Iran while increasing economic pressure.3.
Summary from source