Repeated warning to Israel as it disrupts peace talks; 'special ops or continued blockade' if deal falls through

President Donald Trump wears a gold medal given to him by Olympic speed skater Jordan Stoltz at the Custer Farm in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, on June 5. [AP]
President Donald Trump wears a gold medal given to him by Olympic speed skater Jordan Stoltz at the Custer Farm in Chippewa Falls, Wisconsin, on June 5. [AP]

President Donald Trump said Sunday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will have no choice but to accept any deal the United States reaches with Iran, sending a fresh warning to Israel as it clashes with Tehran and disrupts end-of-war negotiations.

Speaking to the Financial Times in a phone interview, Trump said Netanyahu "will have no choice" but to accept such an agreement. "I make the decisions. I make all the decisions," Trump said. "He doesn't have decision-making power."

The remarks came shortly after Iran launched a missile strike on northern Israel in retaliation for Israeli airstrikes on Beirut — attacks Israel carried out despite a truce agreement with Lebanon.

It marked the first time Iran had struck Israeli territory since a US-Iran ceasefire took effect in April, raising fears of a wider escalation. Trump, however, shrugged off the Iranian attack, saying it was unlikely to affect the negotiations.

"We'll see what happens, but it's just one of those things that's been going on for 3,000 years or 47 years, depending on how you look at it," Trump said. "This attack will have no effect on the negotiations." The remarks were widely read as a signal to Israel to hold back from further escalation, even as Trump reaffirmed his resolve to reach an end-of-war deal despite Iran's strike on Israeli soil.

Trump had earlier expressed frustration with Israel's strikes on Lebanon in separate interviews with Fox News and Axios, urging restraint. "Nobody was hurt in the Iranian attack," he said, adding that he would call "Bibi" — his nickname for Netanyahu — and tell him not to retaliate.

"The deal depends on what's in it," Trump said. "Negotiations are ongoing — let's see what happens."

Asked what he would do if talks collapsed, Trump said he could consider special operations. "It's one of two things," he said. "One, we go in directly and take care of business in areas we haven't dealt with militarily, or we continue the blockade on Iran." He added that the blockade had proven "more powerful than any attack."

Sunday marked the 100th day of the war among the United States, Israel and Iran.

Trump has put forward a specific timeline, saying a deal could be reached by Wednesday, and has repeatedly signaled his willingness to negotiate. Israel, however, has continued its airstrikes on Lebanon despite his objections, deepening the rift.

Axios earlier reported that Trump called Netanyahu — frustrated that the Israeli leader appeared to be acting outside his control — and unleashed a torrent of anger, using expletives including calling him "crazy."


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