Trump Urges Netanyahu to End Gaza War, Opposes Strike on Iran

According to sources described as informed, Trump told Netanyahu during the call:“I want you to end the war,”
a statement the channel noted was unusually firm and unprecedented from a U.S. president.

Trump reportedly stressed that ending the war would aid broader diplomatic efforts, including both a hostage exchange deal and progress in talks with Iran and Saudi Arabia. He said:

“It’s not just [U.S. envoy Steve] Wietkopf’s deal that’s possible. Both are possible. The war has exhausted itself—it must end.”

The report added that Trump’s message marks a significant policy tone change, and it remains unclear whether this was just a symbolic gesture or the start of actual pressure on the Israeli government.

According to Axios, citing both Israeli and U.S. officials, Trump expressed clear opposition to continued Israeli military operations, believing there’s a real chance to reach a nuclear agreement with Iran.

The timing of Trump’s comments may also explain recent progress in the hostage deal talks, described by Netanyahu himself as “notable.” Israel estimates there are 56 hostages held in Gaza, 20 of whom are believed to be alive, while over 10,400 Palestinian detainees are held in Israeli prisons under harsh conditions, many without trial.

Hamas has repeatedly expressed willingness to release all hostages in exchange for an end to the war, Israeli withdrawal, and a mass prisoner release, but Netanyahu continues to stall, setting new conditions including the disarmament of Palestinian factions, and remains committed to re-occupying Gaza.

The Israeli opposition and the families of hostages have accused Netanyahu of prolonging the war to appease far-right factions in his coalition and preserve his own political survival, despite being wanted for prosecution by international courts.

Trump Opposes Israeli Strike on Iran

As speculation grows over an Israeli strike on Iranian nuclear sites, Trump reportedly told Netanyahu to take that option off the table.

“I haven’t given up on negotiations,” Trump said. “The Iranians may give a bad response, but it won’t close the door.”

Netanyahu responded that Israel must maintain a credible military threat, but Trump reiterated:“I believe I can still reach a deal. But for now, take the attack option off the agenda.”

On the same day, Iran claimed possession of secret Israeli documents related to nuclear and military infrastructure and warned it could target Israeli facilities if attacked.

Iran’s Foreign Ministry also announced that the sixth round of nuclear talks with the U.S. will be held on June 15 in Muscat, Oman.

Back in May, Trump revealed he had already informed Netanyahu of Washington’s intent to pursue a nuclear agreement with Tehran, and warned against undermining diplomacy through military aggression.

The U.S., Israel, and other nations accuse Iran of trying to develop nuclear weapons, while Tehran insists its program is peaceful, focused on energy and medical research.

Israel, meanwhile, remains the only nuclear-armed state in the Middle East, is not under international inspection, and has illegally occupied Palestinian, Syrian, and Lebanese territory for decades.

Both Iran and Israel view one another as primary regional enemies, regularly accusing each other of cyberattacks, espionage, and sabotage.

Since October 7, 2023, with U.S. support, Israel has waged a genocidal war in Gaza marked by widespread killing, starvation, destruction, and forced displacement—in defiance of international calls and ICJ rulings demanding a ceasefire.

So far, this war has resulted in over 182,000 Palestinian casualties (killed and wounded), most of them children and women, along with more than 11,000 missing and hundreds of thousands displaced, many facing famine and death.