Netanyahu Abandons Planned Beirut Strikes After Trump Call

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu abandoned plans for major strikes on Hezbollah targets in Beirut after a Monday phone call with President Trump. The call followed Iranian threats to abandon negotiations with the U.S. and to launch missiles at Israel if the strikes proceeded.

Trump directed Netanyahu to back down from the Beirut plan to avoid disrupting Lebanon and the Iran talks, an Israeli source said. Netanyahu complied and later moved to address perceptions of a rift between the two leaders.

Netanyahu faces criticism at home over ongoing Hezbollah attacks and has not delivered on earlier pledges to destroy Hamas or pursue regime change in Iran. Each border siren reporting incoming fire increases domestic calls for a response. Rivals and some government allies accused Netanyahu of turning Israel into an American "vassal" after the call.

Netanyahu told CNBC that he and Trump have argued before but maintained their partnership.

On Wednesday, Israeli and Lebanese diplomats in Washington announced a plan for a full ceasefire contingent on steps by Hezbollah. It remains unclear whether the militia will accept the terms. Trump stated on Wednesday that he is trying to separate the Israel-Hezbollah conflict from the war with Iran and believes a deal with Iran could be reached as early as this weekend.

Netanyahu has expressed skepticism about both restraint in Lebanon and a deal with Iran.