Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel will continue strikes on Iranian and Lebanese targets while the U.S. explores talks with Iran. He posted the declaration on X after speaking with Donald Trump, who announced "productive conversations" and temporarily paused plans to bomb Iran's power plants. The exchange follows an Iranian missile attack on Arad that injured about 180 people and has sent oil prices sharply higher. Iranian state‑linked media later denied that talks with the U.S. occurred.
Netanyahu Vows Continued Strikes On Iran And Lebanon As Trump Signals De‑escalation
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel will continue striking targets in Iran and Lebanon even as the United States pursues talks that could lead to a pause in hostilities with elements of Iran's leadership.
Netanyahu posted a short video on X hours after former President Donald Trump said the U.S. and Iran had held "productive conversations" about ending hostilities and announced a temporary pause to his plan to bomb Iranian power plants. Trump had previously warned that attacks on Iran's power infrastructure would begin Monday night if Tehran did not "fully open" the Strait of Hormuz by his deadline.
In the clip — shared at 3:18 p.m. ET — Netanyahu said he had spoken with "our friend" Trump and saw "an opportunity to leverage the tremendous achievements we have reached alongside the U.S. military to realize the goals of the war through an agreement that will safeguard our vital interests." He added that negotiations would not stop Israeli operations against military and strategic targets.
"We are smashing the missile program and the nuclear program, and we continue to deal severe blows to Hezbollah," Netanyahu said.
The remarks come amid escalating regional confrontations. Trump issued a 48‑hour ultimatum on Saturday, warning Iran to reopen the Strait of Hormuz or face strikes on its power plants. That same day, Iran launched a significant missile attack on Israel, striking the desert town of Arad and injuring about 180 people.
Energy markets have reacted sharply since the start of Operation Epic Fury on Feb. 28. Oil rose from $67.02 per barrel the day before the operation began to $98 per barrel last Friday; after Trump’s announcement of potential de‑escalation on Monday morning, the price eased to about $88.95 per barrel.
Shortly after reports of U.S.–Iran talks emerged, Iranian state‑linked media quoted regime officials denying that such discussions had taken place. The diplomatic situation remains fluid, with public statements from leaders and state media at times sending mixed signals.
Context: The international community continues to monitor the situation closely as diplomatic efforts and military actions unfold in parallel. Netanyahu’s statement underscores Israel’s intent to maintain military pressure while leaving open the possibility of leveraging coordination with U.S. forces into a negotiated outcome that protects Israeli security interests.
Help us improve.
