Trump's Call Halts Israeli Airstrike Amid Iran Tensions

Israeli media outlet Yedioth Ahronoth revealed a tense series of events and sharp exchanges behind the scenes on one of the most dramatic days between Washington and Tel Aviv. The episode concluded with a last-minute cancellation of an Israeli airstrike by direct order from US President Donald Trump, causing significant embarrassment to the Israeli General Staff as aircraft were already on the runways.

The current escalation began following an Israeli strike targeting a Hezbollah militia headquarters in Beirut's southern suburbs. Immediately after the raid, Washington sent clear and covert warning messages expressing its dissatisfaction. The Americans explicitly conveyed to the Israeli side: "Iran is serious and will respond."

Israel, in turn, responded that it could not remain silent in the face of attacks targeting its northern front.

Escalation Reaches Peak

At 10 p.m. on Sunday, tensions peaked when Iran launched a wave of rockets toward Israel. At that time, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was holding a security meeting with ministers and defense leaders in the "Kiryat" bunker, where he received a phone call from President Trump. Attendees described the call as "very difficult and tense."

During the conversation, Trump expressed firmness, stating: "I do not want a new war, do not respond to Iran as it will only escalate." Netanyahu attempted to maneuver by saying: "The Iranians violated our sovereignty, and we must draw a red line." Trump responded with a firm refusal to grant authorization: "As far as I am concerned, you do not have a green light, but you have your bills."

Although interpretations of the call's content varied later, Israeli officials considered that Trump understood the necessity of a response, while other sources asserted that the US president understood Israel would refrain from attacking. Subsequently, Tel Aviv carried out two waves of strikes (at 3 a.m. and 7 a.m.), to which Tehran replied with two similar waves (at 7 a.m. and 10 a.m.).

Sudden Shift in the Situation

Immediately after the last Iranian strike, the situation shifted unexpectedly. The Iranians secretly approached the US president behind the scenes and officially informed him: "We are ready for a ceasefire."

The newspaper added that while the Iranians were calling for calm, Netanyahu was in the army command bunker approving operational plans for a new wave of attacks. Israeli fighter jets were already prepared on the runways for takeoff.

At this critical moment, the phone rang inside the bunker, and Trump issued a decisive order to Netanyahu: "You have done what you did, now stop firing; we will reach an agreement."

Despite attempts by Netanyahu's circle to portray the call as "friendly," parties involved in the event confirmed it was a "directive and sharp conversation." Netanyahu then returned to the military commanders to clearly announce: "We are stopping the attack," bringing an end to a confrontation that the US administration restrained in its final stages.