Arabic version: ترامب يحذر نتنياهو من استمرار الصراع مع إيران
United States President Donald Trump has warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he might find himself fighting on his own if Israel returns to war with Iran. The warning on Monday came as Israel and Iran said they would pause attacks following their most serious escalation since a ceasefire took effect in April. According to Al Jazeera, Trump expressed his concerns via social media, urging both sides to cease fire and indicating that peace negotiations could be hindered by ignorance or stupidity.
In an interview with Axios, Trump recounted his warning to Netanyahu, stating, “I said, ‘Bibi, you better be careful, or you will be on your own very soon.’” This warning follows a series of military exchanges that began with Israel’s bombardment of Beirut, which prompted Iran to retaliate with missile strikes on northern Israel. Israeli forces struck Iranian air defense systems and a petrochemical plant, while Iran retaliated by hitting a similar facility in Haifa and targeting two Israeli airbases.
Despite the ongoing military actions, Trump’s warning complicates his administration’s efforts to mediate a resolution to the conflict that escalated earlier this year. Netanyahu, addressing the situation in a televised statement, asserted Israel’s right to self-defense and emphasized that the current hostilities were contained due to Israel’s military actions against Iran.
While Netanyahu downplayed the tensions with the U.S., stating that both nations have a mutual understanding of Israel’s defense needs, Iranian officials have placed the blame for the escalation on the United States. Iran’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs has accused Washington of being complicit in violations of the ceasefire, asserting that any military actions would hold the U.S. accountable.
Diplomatic efforts are reportedly ongoing, with Iranian officials indicating a willingness to negotiate through intermediaries. Pakistan’s Prime Minister has also called for restraint and emphasized the importance of achieving a peaceful resolution to the conflict. However, violence continues, with recent Israeli airstrikes in Lebanon resulting in multiple casualties, underscoring the fragile nature of the ceasefire and the potential for further escalation.
