The media: Trump pressures Netanyahu to stop expanding strikes on Iran

Odaily Odaily Planet Daily News According to reports from Israel's Channel 12 on Monday evening local time, U.S. President Trump stated that he had warned Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu not to let the exchange of fire with Iran escalate into a full-scale war. Trump said: "I told Bibi (i.e., Netanyahu), you'd better think carefully about your actions, because soon you might have to face Iran alone." According to the report, Trump on Sunday had asked Netanyahu not to carry out retaliatory strikes in response to Iran's recent missile attack on Israel. No clear consensus was reached between the two sides at the end of that call, and Netanyahu did not reveal his final decision on the matter to Trump. Subsequently, Netanyahu consulted with defense officials and informed U.S. Secretary of State Rubio that he had decided to launch strikes against Iran. Trump said: "The Israelis only informed us at a very late stage. They were already on their way to strike Iran at that time." "I managed to scale down the scope of this attack." Trump also revealed that five countries in the region — which are also involved in mediating between the U.S. and Iran — had asked him to pressure Netanyahu to stop the strikes and push forward the peace agreement process. Trump emphasized that he is still willing to reach a deal and believes Iran is also interested in reaching an agreement with the U.S.