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Trump told Netanyahu he still wants to defuse Iran crisis with talks, not bombs

11 June 2025 00:46 (UTC +04:00)

US President Donald Trump told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in their Monday phone call that he believes there's a chance of reaching a nuclear deal with Iran and he therefore opposes military action at this time, an Israeli official and a U.S. official tell Axios, APA reports.

The call between Trump and Netanyahu took place several days before the expiration of the two-month deadline Trump gave Iran for reaching a deal.

Iranian officials have been finalizing their response to the U.S. nuclear deal proposal, and are expected to deliver a formal rejection this week.

A sixth round of nuclear talks between White House envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi is expected to take place in Oman on Sunday.

During their 40-minute phone call on Monday, Netanyahu told Trump that the Iranians are experts at stalling and therefore must be presented with a credible military threat, the sources said.

- "Trump did not sound convinced by this reasoning," the Israeli official said.

- Trump told Netanyahu the Iranians are "stubborn," and he's frustrated with their behavior, but he thinks they can be convinced to make a deal and wants to see what happens in the next round of talks, the officials said.

- Several Israeli media outlets also reported on aspects of the conversation.