Highlights:
- Trump asked Netanyahu not to retaliate against Iran’s missile strike.
- The US says a peace agreement could be reached within days.
- Trump urged Iran to return to negotiations.
- He criticized Israel’s strikes on Beirut and called for restraint.
- Netanyahu reportedly agreed to hold off on further action.
President Donald Trump has asked Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to retaliate after Iran launched a new barrage of missiles at Israel, according to a report by Axios.
The report said Trump spoke with Netanyahu after Iran carried out missile strikes on Sunday (7). The president was concerned that a new round of military action could undermine ongoing negotiations aimed at securing a peace agreement and ending the three-month conflict.
Trump also called on Iran to return to the negotiating table.
"We're very close. I would say an agreement would be signed on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday of this coming week. And now this takes place," Trump told Fox News.
"You've shot your missiles, that's enough. Get back to the table and make a deal," Trump said, referring to Iran's strikes on Israel.
Speaking to Axios, Trump said he hoped Israel would not respond militarily.
"The Iranian strikes didn't hurt anybody. Hopefully Israel is not going to retaliate," Trump told Axios.
He also warned that a counterstrike by Israel could lead to more violence.
"If Bibi strikes them back, it's just going to keep going like the last 47 years, or the last 3,000 years," he said.
Trump repeated that Washington was close to reaching an agreement and said rising tensions could put those efforts at risk.
"Each of them had their fun. Israel had its strike, and Iran had its strike. We don't need another one," Trump said.
In an interview with the Financial Times, Trump said Netanyahu would likely have to accept any agreement reached between the United States and Iran.
"He won't have any choice," Trump said of Netanyahu, adding that he "calls the shots".
The interview was published as Iran launched missiles at Israel in its first attack since a ceasefire took effect in April.
Trump also criticized Israel's strikes on Beirut on Sunday (7), saying he was "not happy about it".
According to Axios, Trump told Netanyahu during their phone call to avoid further military action because "we are close to doing something good in terms of a deal".
A US official quoted by Axios said Netanyahu pushed back during the discussion but eventually "pseudo agreed" to stand down.
The official also said Sunday's call was calmer than a tense conversation between the two leaders the previous week. According to the report, Trump did not raise his voice at Netanyahu during the latest call.
