Trump on Israel’s Iran strike plan: 'I’m just not in a hurry to do it'"

Trump Rejected Israeli Plans to Bomb Iranian Nuclear Sites, Opting for Diplomacy Instead

U.S. President Donald Trump surprised Israeli officials by rejecting their plans to bomb Iran’s nuclear facilities, a move that could have significantly delayed Iran’s nuclear weapons development. According to sources close to the matter, Israel had devised plans for military strikes as early as May, aiming to set back Iran’s nuclear progress by at least one year. However, these operations would have required substantial American support to protect Israel from Iranian counterattacks.

In response to the Israeli proposal, President Trump convened a Situation Room meeting with his top advisers, where a heated debate took place. The meeting saw a sharp divide in opinion, with some officials favoring diplomacy, while others pushed for military action. Vice President J.D. Vance and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth led the faction advocating for a diplomatic approach, arguing that military action could endanger American troops and lead to a destabilization of global oil prices. In contrast, National Security Adviser Mike Waltz and Secretary of State Marco Rubio, both deeply skeptical of Iran’s intentions, were vocal in pushing for stronger measures, including military strikes.

Despite the internal divide, Trump ultimately chose to pursue diplomacy with Iran, a decision that reportedly angered Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who was visiting the White House at the time. Sources close to the matter revealed that Trump enjoyed challenging Netanyahu's stance on Iran, reinforcing the differences in their approaches to the situation.

In the wake of Trump’s decision, U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff met with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Oman. This marked the first high-level contact between the two nations during Trump’s presidency. The 45-minute discussion was described as productive, and both parties are expected to continue negotiations, with another round scheduled in Rome this weekend. Trump has set a two-month deadline for reaching an agreement, though it remains unclear when the countdown begins.

In a reaction to the New York Times report, Trump addressed the situation, denying that he had blocked Israel’s attack plans but emphasizing his preference for negotiations. He added, “I don’t want to see death. We are currently in talks with Iran.” In relation to talks with Israel Trump added, "I didn’t stop an Israeli strike, I’m just not in a hurry to do it."

Trump's decision to prioritize diplomacy, however, was a clear divergence from Israeli expectations, and it remains to be seen whether his approach will result in meaningful progress toward resolving the nuclear issue with Iran.