New Delhi:A new Iranian missile attack on Israel has thrown the fragile diplomatic process into doubt as Washington appeared to be edging toward a breakthrough with Tehran. US President Donald Trump said he was personally calling Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu asking him not to respond to Monday's missile attack on northern Israel by Iran.Reports are that Trump and Netanyahu had a meeting shortly after Iran launched missiles toward Israeli territory.
Israel's most recent strikes on Iran came just hours after Trump publicly asserted his authority over the Iran negotiations saying Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu would "have no choice" but to accept any deal negotiated by Washington.
He won't have a choice. I am the leader. I make the decisions. "Trump told he doesn't call the shots" Iran said the missile barrage was a direct response to Israeli airstrikes on Beirut that killed two people and wounded at least 20 others. In the aftermath of the exchange, Iran shut down sections of its airspace over fears of a broader regional flare-up and a possible Israeli retaliation.
Iran’s Revolutionary Guard had issued a stern warning that any more attacks would draw a much wider response. “If these acts of aggression are repeated, our response will be broader in scope and will target American and Zionist interests throughout the region,” the statement said.
Trump says deal within reachTrump said negotiations with Iran were nearing a conclusion despite recent tensions. "We are very close," said the US President, implying a deal could be done within days. He warned the missile attack threatens months of diplomatic efforts and urged Tehran to return to negotiations instead of escalating the conflict.
Air raid sirens sounded in parts of Israel after detecting Iranian missiles heading toward the country. Israel’s defenses shot down the threat, and authorities said there were no immediate casualties or major damage.
Israeli military advised residents in affected areas to seek shelter in protected spaces as air defense systems attempted to neutralize incoming missiles. The attack has raised fears that while diplomacy continues behind the scenes, events on the ground could soon undermine its progress.
A contradiction at the core of US policyThe latest developments reveal a remarkable contradiction. On the one hand, there is Trump who keeps talking about Iran being on the verge of a historic deal. On the other, he has repeatedly issued some of his strongest warnings yet to Tehran.
In a recent interview, Trump described Iranian leaders as “crazy people” and said that if negotiations failed, the United States would respond with “a tremendous amount of military force.” The President has been playing a double game - presenting himself as a peacemaker seeking a negotiated solution, while keeping the threat of military action very much on the table.
The situation has been further complicated after Israeli strikes on Hezbollah linked targets in Beirut following rocket fire from Lebanon.
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