Amid multiple rounds of negotiations between the US and Iran over nuclear issues, US President Trump stated on May 28 that he has warned Israel against launching a hasty attack on Iran, as such action would buy valuable time for achieving a new nuclear agreement.
Trump told the media that he has clearly informed Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu that "now is not the right time for military action" because the US is "very close to reaching a solution." He added that the current situation could change at any moment, "one call could change everything," and he believes Iran "wants to reach an agreement," which would "save many lives."
Trump also revealed that if an agreement is reached, he hopes to arrange for inspectors to visit Iran's nuclear facilities for on-site inspections. So far, Iran has not publicly responded.
Five Rounds of US-Iran Indirect Talks Show Clear Conflicts
According to public information, from April 12 to May 23, Iran and the US conducted five rounds of indirect negotiations on reviving the nuclear deal. Although there are signs of progress, significant differences remain on key issues such as uranium enrichment.
Iran insists it will not compromise on its right to enrich uranium. On May 26, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Bagheri reiterated that Iran will maintain its uranium enrichment activities and will not accept any suspension requests. On the same day, Iran's senior nuclear negotiator denied reports that the "Oman proposal includes a six-month suspension of uranium enrichment," emphasizing that any agreement must acknowledge Iran's rights in this field.
However, on May 28, the head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, Islami, stated that once an agreement is reached, Iran might allow the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) to send experts, including American inspectors, to conduct checks at Iranian nuclear facilities.
Israel's Potential Unilateral Action Raises US-Israel Tensions
Against the backdrop of Trump's public remarks, Israel's military movements have attracted external attention. According to The New York Times, US intelligence indicates that Israel is prepared to strike Iran's nuclear facilities. Even if the US ultimately reaches an agreement with Iran, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu might unilaterally order an attack.
The newspaper earlier disclosed in April that Israel had planned to launch military strikes on multiple Iranian nuclear sites as early as May to hinder Iran's potential nuclear weapon development capabilities. However, this plan is said to have been halted by the US government.
Currently, there is a significant policy divergence between the US and Israel on the Iran issue. Washington seeks to return to the agreement through diplomatic means, while Tel Aviv is more inclined to take tougher measures to eliminate potential threats.
