The Axios news website reports that U.S. President Donald Trump told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday that a deal with Iran is imminent, saying 'it's time to end this war.' Netanyahu, who had hoped the military campaign would lead to regime change in Tehran, appeared to accept the deal is proceeding, while remaining privately skeptical, according to the report.
The Axios report, published overnight, adds the first on-record U.S. sourcing to the thread of Trump-Netanyahu exchanges over the Iran deal, which The Zioneer has been tracking since June 8. The report cites a single unnamed source familiar with the call. It states Trump explicitly told Netanyahu that a deal is imminent and that the war must end — language consistent with the Channel 12 account published on June 12, where a senior U.S. official cited Trump telling Netanyahu 'this is the deal, it's time to end this war.'
Axios adds new detail: Netanyahu — who according to prior Zioneer reports had been warned by Trump multiple times (June 8: 'be very careful,' June 9: 'will do what I tell him') — is said to be privately doubtful Iran will uphold its end, while Israeli officials fear Tehran will use the deal to stabilize its economy and then drag out nuclear talks. The one-source Axios report remains unconfirmed by other outlets at this hour. It offers the most detailed account yet of Netanyahu's reported internal stance, though no Israeli or U.S. official has confirmed it on the record.
3 developments
- StrongTrump tells Netanyahu he is determined to sign Iran agreement as deal talks accelerate
- StrongTrump says he asked Netanyahu to agree to a ceasefire with Hezbollah
- DevelopingTrump reportedly pledges to Netanyahu to dismantle Iran's nuclear capabilities, end its threat to Israel
- ConfirmedTrump says Netanyahu will do what he tells him, claims Israel won't return to war with Iran
Source and signal
- Internal intake