Benjamin Netanyahu and Donald Trump meet at the White House on 4 February 2025. Photo: Lenin Nolly / NurPhoto / Shutterstock
The Israeli government has assured the administration of US President Donald Trump that it will not strike Iran’s nuclear facilities until the negotiations on Iran’s nuclear programme are officially declared inconclusive. This was reported by Axios, citing sources in the Israeli delegation.
According to journalists, during a recent visit to Washington, Israeli representatives – Strategic Planning Minister Ron Dermer, Mossad Chief David Barnea, and National Security Council Chief Tzachi Hanegbi – conveyed Jerusalem’s position to their American counterparts:
“We reassured the Americans. We said we would give diplomacy a chance. There will be no strikes until the negotiations run out of steam and Steven Witkoff declares them a failure.”
The Israelis also denied that the recent IDF military exercises indicate preparations for an imminent attack on Iran. According to them, part of the international community is misinterpreting these manoeuvres.
Israel does not rule out a forceful scenario, but stresses that a diplomatic solution to the conflict is a priority until it becomes clear that dialogue has exhausted itself.
The Trump administration is concerned that Israel may take military action to bypass diplomatic processes. The US president himself has warned Prime Minister Netanyahu against attacks until the negotiations are completed, promising to warn his ally if diplomacy reaches a deadlock.
Against this background, the fifth round of nuclear talks between the United States and Iran took place in Rome on 23 May. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said that the parties expect to reach an agreement in one or two meetings.
