Trump tells Iran to ‘make a deal,’ says he will convince Netanyahu not to strike back

Despite the attack, the president indicated he remained optimistic that an agreement could be finalized soon.

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

President Donald Trump said Sunday that he was working to keep negotiations with Iran on track after Tehran launched missiles at Israel, while also urging Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to respond with additional military action.

In an interview with Fox News Chief Foreign Correspondent Trey Yingst, Trump said the missile attack risked disrupting talks that he believes are nearing completion.

“It’s certainly not going to help negotiations,” Trump said.

Despite the attack, the president indicated he remained optimistic that an agreement could be finalized soon.

“We’re very close. I would say an agreement would be signed on Monday, Tuesday or Wednesday of this coming week. And now this takes place,” Trump said.

Addressing Iran directly, he added: “You’ve shot your missiles, that’s enough. Get back to the table and make a deal.”

Trump also expressed dissatisfaction with Israel’s strikes in Beirut earlier in the day, saying he was “not happy about it.”

According to comments Trump made to Channel 12’s Barak Ravid, he planned to contact Netanyahu to discourage further military action following the Iranian missile launches.

“The Iranian strikes didn’t hurt anybody. Hopefully Israel is not going to retaliate. If Bibi strikes them back, it’s just gonna keep going like the last 47 years, or the last 3000 years,” Trump said.

He also emphasized his desire to preserve the ongoing diplomatic effort with Tehran.

“We are very close to a final deal with Iran. It is going to be a good deal. I don’t want it to blow up because of what is happening now,” Trump said.

“I am going to call Bibi right now and tell him not to retaliate. Each of them had their fun. Israel had its strike and Iran had its strike. We don’t need another one,” he continued. “I don’t want to see an additional attack tonight.”

Earlier Sunday, the Israeli military said it struck Hezbollah infrastructure in Beirut’s southern suburbs after Hezbollah fired toward northern Israel.

The Iranian missile launches came after those Israeli strikes. Trump’s remarks reflected an effort to prevent the exchange from expanding while negotiations between Washington and Tehran continue.