Daijiworld Media Network- Jerusalem

Jerusalem, May 29: In a dramatic revelation, US President Donald Trump confirmed that he asked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to hold off on any military strikes against Iran as sensitive nuclear negotiations continue to gain momentum.

Speaking to reporters in northern New Jersey on Tuesday, Trump acknowledged that he made a direct request to Netanyahu during a recent phone call. "Yes, I did," Trump admitted candidly when asked whether he had requested restraint from the Israeli leadership. "I just said I don't think it's appropriate. We're having very good discussions with them (Iran)."

Trump stressed the importance of diplomacy at this juncture, hinting at potential progress in back-channel talks facilitated by Oman. "I think they (Iran) want to make a deal, and if we can make a deal, we save a lot of lives," he stated, striking a hopeful tone while cautioning against premature military action.

According to The Times of Israel, the conversation between Trump and Netanyahu was far from cordial. Sources indicate it turned into a heated exchange, with Trump reportedly insisting, “I want a diplomatic solution with the Iranians. I believe in my ability to make a good deal.”

The latest developments come as the fifth round of US-Iran talks concluded over the weekend at the Omani embassy in Rome — marking the highest-level direct engagement between the two nations since Trump’s controversial withdrawal from the 2015 nuclear agreement during his first term.

Representing the US at the discussions were Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and State Department policy planning director Michael Anton. Iranian Foreign Minister and chief negotiator Abbas Araghchi, however, warned against premature optimism, saying, “The negotiations are too complicated to be resolved in two or three meetings.”

Despite the complexities, Trump hinted that positive news could be on the horizon. “We've had some real progress, serious progress… I think we could have some good news on the Iran front,” he said, without elaborating on specifics.

Adding to the cautionary note, Oman’s foreign minister stated the latest round yielded “some but not conclusive progress.” The ongoing talks are seen as crucial ahead of a significant June review by the UN’s nuclear watchdog — the Vienna-based International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) — which is set to assess Iran’s current nuclear activity.

While Trump has revived elements of his “maximum pressure” policy since returning to the White House in January, he has simultaneously opened the door to negotiations — balancing tough rhetoric with a renewed willingness for diplomacy.

As tensions simmer and diplomatic stakes rise, the world watches closely for signs of either breakthrough or breakdown in one of the Middle East’s most volatile standoffs.