Report: Netanyahu asked Trump to hold off on Iran strike

By PHILLIP NIETO, US POLITICAL REPORTER

Published: | Updated:

Benjamin Netanyahu asked Donald Trump to not launch military strikes against the Ayatollah’s Islamic regime over fears Iran would retaliate against Israel. The Israeli prime minister spoke to Trump on Wednesday shortly before the president told reporter that he had received information from ' very important sources on the other side' that Iran had stopped executing anti-regime protesters. Netanyahu had previously spoken to Vice President JD Vance on Tuesday, the same day that White House officials met to discuss military options against Iran, according to the New York Times.

Benjamin Netanyahu asked Donald Trump to not launch military strikes against the Ayatollah’s Islamic regime over fears Iran would retaliate against Israel. The Israeli prime minister spoke to Trump on Wednesday shortly before the president told reporter that he had received information from ' very important sources on the other side' that Iran had stopped executing anti-regime protesters. Netanyahu had previously spoken to Vice President JD Vance on Tuesday, the same day that White House officials met to discuss military options against Iran, according to the New York Times.

Gulf Nations Fear Iran Strike Could Trigger Regional Conflict

Other Gulf nations, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Egypt, have also implored the White House not to attack Iran over fears it could lead to a regional conflict. Senior officials from the Gulf states have been lobbying Trump officials with this message for the last two days. Israeli and Arab officials both feared that Iran would respond to a US strike by attacking their countries. Sources also revealed that Arab nations were coordinating their messaging to not only Washington but also top regime officials in Tehran.

Other Gulf nations, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman, and Egypt, have also implored the White House not to attack Iran over fears it could lead to a regional conflict. Senior officials from the Gulf states have been lobbying Trump officials with this message for the last two days. Israeli and Arab officials both feared that Iran would respond to a US strike by attacking their countries. Sources also revealed that Arab nations were coordinating their messaging to not only Washington but also top regime officials in Tehran.

A senior official noted that Trump had not set aside military options for attacking Iran and his decision still relies on how Iranian officials deal with the remaining protests. Over the last few weeks mass protests against the regime have broken out across Iran that have left 2,500 protesters dead. Iran ignored Trump's threats and vowed to fast-track executions after detaining 18,000 protesters as the regime continues its brutal crackdown. The head of Iran's judiciary, Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei, signaled Wednesday that there would be fast trials and executions ahead for those detained, saying: 'If a person burned someone, beheaded someone and set them on fire then we must do our work quickly.'

A senior official noted that Trump had not set aside military options for attacking Iran and his decision still relies on how Iranian officials deal with the remaining protests. Over the last few weeks mass protests against the regime have broken out across Iran that have left 2,500 protesters dead. Iran ignored Trump's threats and vowed to fast-track executions after detaining 18,000 protesters as the regime continues its brutal crackdown. The head of Iran's judiciary, Gholamhossein Mohseni-Ejei, signaled Wednesday that there would be fast trials and executions ahead for those detained, saying: 'If a person burned someone, beheaded someone and set them on fire then we must do our work quickly.'

The US ordered the evacuation of air bases in the region, including an unspecified number from a site in Qatar by Wednesday evening. Al Udeid, the largest American base in the Middle East, houses 10,000 troops and was targeted by Iran in June in retaliation for US strikes on its nuclear facilities. Two Israeli defense officials now claim that the rate of mass killings in Iran has dropped.

The US ordered the evacuation of air bases in the region, including an unspecified number from a site in Qatar by Wednesday evening. Al Udeid, the largest American base in the Middle East, houses 10,000 troops and was targeted by Iran in June in retaliation for US strikes on its nuclear facilities. Two Israeli defense officials now claim that the rate of mass killings in Iran has dropped.

 Protests Ongoing Since Late December

The regime's efforts since Sunday to crackdown on demonstrators by cutting off internet access across the country has resulted in fewer protests. Protesters have been demonstrating against the Ayatollah since late December with some of the largest protests in decades. Trump has also issued positive statements after a report surfaced that an unnamed Iranian protester would not be sentenced to death. 'This is good news,' Trump said Thursday on Truth Social. 'Hopefully, it will continue!'

The regime's efforts since Sunday to crackdown on demonstrators by cutting off internet access across the country has resulted in fewer protests. Protesters have been demonstrating against the Ayatollah since late December with some of the largest protests in decades. Trump has also issued positive statements after a report surfaced that an unnamed Iranian protester would not be sentenced to death. 'This is good news,' Trump said Thursday on Truth Social. 'Hopefully, it will continue!'

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