Trump puts pressure on Netanyahu and Tehran: a fragile truce between Israel and Iran, Lebanon still under tension.

The new escalation between Israel and Iran was halted only after direct intervention by Donald Trump, who publicly called on the parties to immediately cease fire. Following the launch of Iranian missiles toward Israel and subsequent IDF strikes on targets in several cities across the Islamic Republic, the American president addressed Truth with a clear message: "Stop shooting immediately." Pressure from the White House helped freeze, at least for the moment, a military escalation that threatened to reopen a full-scale conflict in the Middle East.

Trump's pressure on Netanyahu

According to Trump himself, the US president had a new telephone conversation with Benjamin Netanyahu after a particularly tense previous conversation. The US leader explained that he had warned the Israeli prime minister that further degeneration could leave him isolated vis-à-vis Iran. "I told Bibi that he would do very well to be careful about what he's doing, because he could very quickly find himself alone facing Iran," Trump said, emphasizing that he did not believe an immediate resumption of war was likely. The message, however, also appeared to represent a clear limit placed by Washington on Israeli military action.

The role of regional mediation

American pressure apparently came not only from the White House itself. Trump stated that five regional countries, involved in diplomatic efforts between the United States and Iran, had asked him to intervene with Netanyahu to halt the attacks. According to the US president, Tehran had communicated to Washington its intention not to continue with new strikes against Israel, asking the United States to convince the Israeli government to suspend its operations. Hence the new phone call to Netanyahu, which came at a time when Israel, according to various reports, was considering a much broader action.

Iranian attacks and Israeli response

The new outbreak was triggered by Iran's launch of a dozen missiles toward Israel, described by the IRGC as retaliation for Israeli attacks on Beirut. The IDF claimed the missiles were intercepted, but the following night, Israeli fighter jets struck military targets on Iranian soil. The operations, initially presented as a limited response, fueled fears of a widening conflict, especially given the involvement of the Lebanese front and the cross-threats between Tehran, Hezbollah, and Israel.

Netanyahu accepts the halt, but warns Tehran

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced the suspension of attacks against Iran "for now," but avoided presenting the decision as a true end to hostilities. The Israeli prime minister stated that fire on that front had been halted because, in his view, the Tehran regime had ceased attacks after being hit. At the same time, Netanyahu warned that any new offensive would be met with a "forceful" response, reiterating that the battle against Iran and Hezbollah is not over. "Iran and Hezbollah are weaker than ever, and we are stronger than ever," he stated, maintaining high political and military tensions.

Southern Lebanon remains in the crosshairs

Despite the suspension of direct attacks between Israel and Iran, the Lebanese front remains one of the most critical points of the crisis. Netanyahu reiterated that IDF operations will continue in southern Lebanon with the stated goal of destroying Hezbollah's infrastructure in the so-called safe zone. The Israeli prime minister accused the Shiite movement of planning an invasion of the Galilee and of stockpiling an arsenal of rockets and missiles intended to strike Israeli cities. Tehran, for its part, has threatened to resume even more aggressive attacks if Israel continues its raids on Lebanon.

Tehran claims deterrence and accuses Washington

Iran presented the latest attacks as a demonstration of its deterrent capacity. Vice President Mohammad Reza Aref argued that Israel would be forced to reinstate a ceasefire after suffering Iran's response. Tehran also accused the United States of direct responsibility for any violation of the ceasefire agreement, while reaffirming its willingness in principle to continue talks with Washington. Iranian officials, however, have conditioned any possible progress on the perception of greater American sincerity and the management of Iranian assets frozen abroad.

Airspace reopened and first signs of normalization

Later in the day, Iran announced the complete reopening of its airspace to all domestic and international flights, having declared the end of its military operations. Israel also lifted some of the restrictions imposed during the escalation, allowing schools to reopen across the country, while maintaining particular caution in communities near the Lebanese border. Israeli authorities also announced the reopening of crossings with Gaza, including Kerem Shalom for the gradual entry of humanitarian aid and Rafah for limited transit of people.

The frictions within the Israeli government

Netanyahu's decision to yield to American pressure has sparked new tensions within the Israeli government. According to reports in Israeli media, the prime minister defended coordination with Washington during restricted security meetings in Tel Aviv, arguing that Trump remains aligned with Israel's strategic objectives. The more radical wing of the government, however, has pushed for a harder line. National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has called for resisting American pressure, while Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has proposed focusing military action on Hezbollah in Beirut to strengthen Israel's position in regional negotiations.

A fragile truce between diplomacy and threats

The suspension of hostilities between Israel and Iran thus appears more like a pause imposed by diplomatic pressure than a truly consolidated de-escalation. Trump claims to have stopped Netanyahu and prevented a broader Israeli response, but statements from Israel, Iran, and Hezbollah leave open the possibility of renewed escalations. The Lebanese front remains the most exposed issue, while Washington is trying to keep the negotiating channel open with Tehran. In this precarious balance, the ceasefire remains dependent on the parties' ability to avoid further military provocations and on the continued coordination between the United States, Israel, and regional mediators.