President Trump confirmed Wednesday that he personally advised Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against launching a military strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities—at least for now. The remarks came during a Q&A at the White House where Trump described ongoing negotiations with Tehran as “very close to a solution.”
“I like to be honest,” Trump told reporters. “Yes, I did.” He then clarified, “It’s not a warning. I said I don’t think it’s appropriate.”
The president emphasized his approach to diplomacy: no trust, total verification, and overwhelming strength. “I don’t trust anybody,” he said. “We can go in with inspectors, we can take whatever we want, we can blow up whatever we want—but nobody getting killed.”
Trump’s comments follow recent intelligence reports suggesting Israel may be making preparations to strike Iranian nuclear sites. According to U.S. officials cited by CNN, Israel appears to be moving toward a potential military solution as Iran’s nuclear capabilities continue to grow.
But Trump is betting that the threat of force, combined with relentless pressure, could lead to a diplomatic win without bloodshed. “If we can make a deal, and save a lot of lives,” he said, “that’s what we should do.”
The president’s approach sharply contrasts with previous administrations, particularly Obama’s Iran deal, which critics say handed Tehran billions while failing to stop its nuclear ambitions. Trump has long maintained that Iran cannot be trusted and that any new deal must include unrestricted inspections and immediate enforcement.
Still, he left the door open for escalation. “Now, that could change at any moment,” he warned. “It could change with a phone call.”
Trump’s strategy appears to be aimed at preserving diplomatic momentum while holding the military option as a last resort. That said, even he acknowledged the challenge of dealing with a regime known for lying, hiding, and moving its weapons programs deep into remote mountain regions.
“It will not be easy or cheap,” Trump admitted, referencing Iran’s history of deception since the 1979 Islamic Revolution.
Despite the risks, the Trump administration seems committed to trying to avoid a major war in the Middle East, even as Iran inches closer to the nuclear threshold and Israel prepares to act unilaterally if necessary.
Whether this diplomatic balancing act leads to a real and verifiable shutdown of Iran’s nuclear program remains to be seen. But Trump’s decision to publicly discourage Israeli action signals that he believes a peaceful resolution may still be within reach.
If he pulls it off, it would mark the first time since 1979 that the U.S. successfully halted Iran’s nuclear drive without firing a shot. For now, the message from the White House to Jerusalem is clear: wait—but be ready.