On Thursday evening, President Trump called Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with news he did not want to hear: He expected to sign a deal with Iran within days. - "This is the deal. It's a great deal, and it's time to end this war," Trump told Netanyahu, according to a senior U.S. official. Why it matters: When Netanyahu went to war alongside Trump, this is not how he envisioned it ending. Flashback: Netanyahu made clear from the beginning that he believed the war could spur regime change in Tehran. Now, four months out from an election, Netanyahu's rivals are accusing him of making Israel a "vassal state" by simply accepting Trump's terms for peace. - Some in Washington think Netanyahu might play a spoiler role even if the…
President Trump’s boasts of securing a commitment from Iranian leaders not to develop a nuclear weapon have puzzled nuclear experts who note that Tehran has made that pledge for more than 50 years.
Nearly a month into the Iran war , there are signs the conflict is poised to expand rather than conclude. The big picture: Potential future events in the war — like escalation in the Strait of Hormuz or major changes Iran's leadership — could determine when the conflict ends. - The U.S. and Israel also have contrasting visions of the endgame, with Israel willing to endure more chaos to destabilize the regime, officials told Axios . - "Our objectives are our objectives," Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said last week. "We'll set the tempo of when those are met." Here are four pivotal questions that could shape the war's next phase. What happens to the Strait of Hormuz? A major question surrounding the war right now is what happens…
President Trump and Bibi Netanyahu have spoken almost every day since the war began. Trump told Axios that they're "working great together." - But U.S. officials realize the two countries' endgames and risk tolerance may diverge as the 19-day-old war continues. Why it matters: Several U.S. officials described Trump as the most bullish person in the White House on going to war with Iran. He also appears more aligned with Netanyahu's maximalist objectives than many of his aides. Officials in Washington, Tel Aviv and Tehran all know any split between the allies could define the outcome of the war. - Three of President Trump's advisers tell Axios they believe he'll want to end major operations before Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin…
The Israeli Air Force conducted numerous strikes across Iran Saturday morning in an attempt to assassinate Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei and other senior political and military leaders, Israeli and U.S. officials told Axios. Why it matters: The U.S. and Iran have launched a massive joint military operation in an effort to destabilize the Iranian regime, which has been in power since the 1979 Islamic Revolution. - "The goal is to create all the conditions for the downfall of the Iranian regime, but developments will also depend on the extent to which the Iranian people rise up," an Israeli official said. Zoom in: Israeli officials said Israel is targeting the entire Iranian leadership — political and military, past, present, and future…
White House envoy Steve Witkoff told a private gathering on Tuesday that the Trump administration is demanding that Iran agree any future nuclear deal will remain in effect indefinitely, according to a U.S. official and two other sources with knowledge of his remarks. Why it matters: President Trump and other critics of the 2015 Iran nuclear deal negotiated by the Obama administration seized on the "sunset provisions" as one of its main flaws. - Witkoff made the comments two days before the next round of nuclear talks is scheduled to take place in Geneva. Breaking it down: According to the 2015 deal, which Trump scrapped, most of the limitations on Iran's nuclear program gradually expired between eight and 25 years after signing. Iran…
President Trump is focused on Iran’s nuclear program, but Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sees a more immediate threat from Tehran’s rapid rebuilding of its ability to launch missiles at Israel.
White House envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi are expected to meet on Friday in Istanbul to discuss a possible nuclear deal, according to two sources with knowledge. - A third source familiar with the planning said a meeting on Friday was "the best case scenario" but cautioned that nothing is final until it happens. Why it matters: This would be the first meeting between U.S. and Iranian officials since the collapse of the negotiations and the 12-day war last June. It comes during a massive U.S. military buildup in the Gulf, and with President Trump insisting the only way to avoid military conflict is a swift deal. Driving the news: The planned meeting is the result of diplomatic efforts by Turkey, Egypt…