Netanyahu urges Trump to delay any U.S. strike on Iran

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asked President Trump to postpone any planned American military attack on Iran, a senior U.S. official said on Thursday, amid fears among Israeli and Arab officials that Iran could retaliate by striking their countries. Mr. Netanyahu spoke with Mr.

Trump on Wednesday, the same day the president said he had received information that Iran had stopped killing protesters and was not moving forward with executions — comments that appeared to signal he was backing away from a potential attack. A senior U.S. official, however, said Mr.

Trump had not set aside the military options his commanders had presented and that any order would depend on what Iranian security agencies do next regarding the mass protests. Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Oman and Egypt have also urged the United States not to attack Iran, a Gulf official said, warning a strike could trigger a wider regional conflict; those countries have been coordinating messages to both Washington and Tehran.

Saudi Foreign Minister Adel al-Jubeir said, at a minerals forum in Riyadh, that his country prefers dialogue and negotiating solutions. Officials said U.S. planners have prepared for possible Iranian retaliation against American military assets in the region — notably Al Udeid Air Base in Qatar, where about 10,000 troops are stationed, or U.S.

Key Topics

Politics, Benjamin Netanyahu, Donald Trump, Iran, Qatar, Iran Protests