Israeli officials announced Thursday evening that US President Donald Trump contacted Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about a developing agreement with Iran prior to formal talks, as Iran’s Fars news agency indicated strong chances of accepting the proposed deal.
According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, while Israel is not participating in the memorandum of understanding negotiations, Netanyahu praised assurances given by President Trump about the objectives of any final accord.
“Although Israel is not a party to the memorandum of understanding, the Prime Minister expressed his appreciation for President Trump’s commitment that the final agreement at the conclusion of negotiations will include the removal of enriched material, the dismantling of enrichment infrastructure, restrictions on missile production, and an end to Iran’s support for its terror proxies in the region.”
Earlier that evening, a high-ranking Israeli official informed Channel 12 News that Israel had not been given prior notice of a completed US-Iran deal. The official stated, “To the best of our knowledge, Mojtaba Khamenei has not yet approved the agreement, and we are not aware of any finalized framework document.”
Channel 12 News reported that Netanyahu’s security briefing was cut short due to a “diplomatic call.”
Later Thursday, Iran’s Fars news agency announced there was “a high probability that the regime will approve that proposal.” Fars indicated a preliminary memorandum of understanding was awaiting final authorization in Tehran and Washington.
The news outlet reported that President Trump had previously requested modifications to the draft following frustration over delays from Mojtaba Khamenei in providing final consent.
Iran has demanded the conflict cease “on all fronts,” especially in Lebanon, while the suggested framework would also reopen the Strait of Hormuz and allow for gradual lifting of the US blockade on Iranian ports plus certain sanctions relief.
The memorandum would not settle disagreements regarding Iran’s nuclear program. Rather, it would initiate separate negotiations on future limitations. Earlier reports suggested those discussions would span 60 days.
These developments came after President Trump posted on Truth Social declaring that scheduled US military action against Iran had been called off and that talks toward an agreement were progressing.
“Based on the fact that discussions with the Islamic Republic of Iran have been brought to the highest level of Iranian leadership and approved, I have, as President of the United States of America, cancelled the scheduled strikes and bombings against Iran this evening,” President Trump wrote.
He further declared that “Discussions and final points have been, in both concept and great detail, approved by all parties involved, including the United States, Israel, Saudi Arabia, UAE, Qatar, Turkey, Pakistan, Bahrain, Kuwait, Jordan, Egypt, and others.”
President Trump continued: “The Naval Blockade will remain in full force and effect until this Transaction is finalized—Time and place of the signing to be announced shortly.”
The announcement halted what would have been a third straight night of military strikes against Iran. The United States conducted two days of retaliatory attacks on Iranian military and radar installations after Tehran shot down an American Apache helicopter. Iran subsequently launched ballistic missiles and drones at US facilities in Bahrain, Kuwait, and Jordan.
