Trump Halts Israeli Strike on Iran, Pursues Diplomacy

President Donald Trump decided to halt Israel's planned military strike on Iranian nuclear sites, choosing instead to initiate direct negotiations with Tehran over its nuclear program. The Israeli operation, which would have required substantial U.S. military support to succeed and deter Iranian retaliation, was set for May but was called off after months of internal U.S. debate. While some American officials were open to supporting the strike, others raised concerns about the risk of escalating into a broader conflict in the Middle East. During a tense White House meeting, Trump informed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of the shift in U.S. policy, making clear that diplomacy was now the preferred approach. Observers noted that Trump publicly distanced U.S. interests from Netanyahu's preferences, emphasizing that supporting Israel does not always mean supporting its current leadership. The move was widely interpreted as a strategic decision to advance U.S. interests and reduce regional tensions, despite Netanyahu’s longstanding opposition to dialogue with Iran.