Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with US President Donald Trump Sunday evening about the war with Iran, Netanyahu’s office confirmed to The Times of Israel. The leaders discussed the possibility of renewing the war with Iran as well as Trump’s recent trip to China, according to Hebrew media reports. Netanyahu was then set to convene top aides and ministers for a security discussion in his office in Jerusalem. Such discussions in the Prime Minister’s Office, often termed the “small security cabinet,” usually include Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar, Defense Minister Israel Katz, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir, and Shas chairman Aryeh Deri.
Last week, it was reported that Israel and the United States were carrying out intense preparations to renew attacks on Iran, possibly as soon as this week. Sunday’s discussions come after a drone struck a nuclear power plant in the UAE, which, along with Israel, sustained the most blows from Iran during the war. Trump is expected to hold his own Situation Room meeting on Tuesday with his top national security advisers to discuss the options for military action regarding Iran, Axios reported, citing two US officials.
While negotiations have stalled between the US and the Islamic Republic since a ceasefire came into effect on April 8, Trump is said to believe that Iran still wants to make a deal. But he threatened consequences for Iran if its leaders do not act quickly. “For Iran, the Clock is Ticking, and they better get moving, FAST, or there won’t be anything left of them. TIME IS OF THE ESSENCE!” he wrote in a social media post.
In his weekly cabinet meeting prior to his conversation with Trump, Netanyahu said, “Our eyes are open regarding Iran.” Referring to the US president, he added, “I will certainly hear impressions from his trip to China, perhaps other things as well. Certainly, there are many possibilities, and we are prepared for every scenario.” (Read More)
