Trump and Netanyahu Discuss Iran Tensions Amid Potential Military Escalation

U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a phone conversation on Saturday amid ongoing tensions with Iran and efforts to reach a diplomatic settlement. The call occurred two days after Admiral Brad Cooper, Commander of U.S. Central Command, presented President Trump at the White House with options for further military actions against Iran. The briefing was reportedly attended by U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Kane.

Trump commented on the ongoing negotiations with Tehran, stating that the Iranian regime desires talks due to its severe economic situation. "There are talks. They want to talk. They keep talking. They are not paying their soldiers. They are not paying their police. They are in big trouble," Trump told reporters, adding that Washington is not in a hurry to finalize an agreement. He described the situation as a war, but not a conventional one.

Meanwhile, Qatari newspaper Al-Araby Al-Jadeed reported, citing sources involved in mediation efforts between the U.S. and Iran, that progress has been made in talks held in Qatar. According to these sources, an American delegation is expected to join negotiations with Iranian officials in Doha. The U.S. has not officially confirmed this report. The sources claim that initial understandings have been reached on key issues, including Iran's nuclear program, freedom of navigation in the Strait of Hormuz, and economic incentives for Tehran. China and Russia are expected to act as guarantors for any agreement.

Concurrently, Iran's Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei issued a threat against the United States and Israel, referencing the possibility of renewed conflict following U.S. midterm elections. In a post on X, after meeting with senior Iranian military commanders, Khamenei stated that "any level or type of threat must be met with an immediate, impactful, and geographically unrestricted response." He added that if Iran's enemies renew their military attacks or terrorist actions, the Islamic Republic's armed forces and people will determine the timing and terms for ending such attacks.