U.S. President urges Israel and Iran to halt strikes after weekend escalation
President Trump spoke with Israeli officials Sunday and Monday to limit further attacks after Israel struck targets in Lebanon and Iran responded with missiles. The exchanges occurred while talks on a draft agreement continued.
jpost.comIsrael struck a Hezbollah target in Beirut on Sunday morning. Iran then fired missiles at Israel. President Trump called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Sunday evening and asked that Israel not retaliate. Two U.S. officials and one Israeli source described the call as calmer than an earlier conversation. Netanyahu argued that failing to respond would weaken Israel's position.
Missile exchanges continue Israel struck a petrochemical facility in Iran and targets in Tehran. Iran responded with missiles aimed at Tel Aviv. U.S. forces helped intercept some incoming Iranian missiles, two U.S. defense officials said. On Monday morning both sides conducted additional strikes.
Israel prepared for a larger wave of attacks before canceling them after another call with President Trump.
Communications with regional governments President Trump told Axios he received calls from five countries in the region urging restraint. He also said Iranian representatives contacted U.S. officials on Monday morning stating they would stop attacks if Israel did the same.
Iran's parliamentary speaker said recent U.S. statements about a draft agreement contradicted prior understandings. He added that Iran seeks to end the war rather than normalize relations with the United States.
