Source : INDIA TODAY NEWS
US President Donald Trump has asserted that he remains committed to securing a nuclear agreement with Iran despite the latest escalation between Tehran and Israel, declaring that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would have “no choice” but to accept any deal negotiated by Washington.
In an interview with the Financial Times, Trump said Iran’s missile strikes against Israel had not altered his determination to conclude negotiations with Tehran. Emphasising his influence over the process, Trump said, “I call the shots. I call all the shots. He [Netanyahu] doesn’t call the shots.”
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Trump also said Netanyahu would have to accept a future agreement reached between the United States and Iran. “He won’t have any choice,” Trump was quoted as saying.
The remarks came after Iran launched a barrage of ballistic missiles toward Israel late Sunday, marking a significant escalation in regional tensions. The attack followed Israeli strikes on the outskirts of Beirut earlier in the day, the first such strikes since the United States announced a ceasefire proposal for Lebanon last week.
According to the Israeli military, air defence systems intercepted the incoming missiles after they were detected heading toward Israeli territory. No immediate details were available regarding damage or casualties.
Trump, who was spending the weekend at his golf club in Bedminster, New Jersey, reportedly told Axios that he planned to call Netanyahu and urge him not to retaliate against Iran. He argued that further military action could derail ongoing diplomatic efforts.
“It’s certainly not going to help negotiations,” Trump told Fox News following the Iranian missile launches. Addressing Tehran directly, he added: “You’ve shot your missiles, that’s enough, get back to the table and make a deal.”
Trump also expressed dissatisfaction with Israel’s earlier strike on Beirut, saying, “I’m not happy about it.”
A US official told Reuters that Trump had been briefed on the latest developments between Iran and Israel. The White House did not immediately comment on the situation.
Iranian officials, meanwhile, defended their response. Parliamentary Speaker Mohammed Baqer Qalibaf said US bases and Israeli assets remained legitimate targets due to what he described as hostile actions and violations of agreements related to Lebanon. Hardline Iranian lawmaker Ebrahim Rezaei warned that Tehran would deliver a “decisive and painful response” to Israel’s strikes.
An Israeli official responded by saying Israel would retaliate against any direct attacks from Iran and would view such actions as an opportunity to expand its military campaign.
The renewed tensions come as Washington and Tehran continue negotiations aimed at ending the conflict that began earlier this year. While Trump has repeatedly expressed confidence that a deal is within reach, he has also warned of severe consequences if diplomacy fails.
In one of the interview’s most striking comments, Trump said that if a deal with Iran failed “on its merits”, he would consider a commando raid as a potential option. The Financial Times reported that Trump indicated military action remained on the table alongside continued economic pressure should diplomacy collapse.
“We’re very close to a deal, or I’m going to blow the hell out of them,” Trump said in a separate interview with NBC News, underscoring both his push for negotiations and his readiness to resume military pressure on Iran.
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SOURCE :- TIMES OF INDIA
