Netanyahu Reportedly Blindsided as Trump Halts Iran Strikes and Pushes Surprise Diplomatic Deal

President Donald Trump cancelled planned military strikes on Iran and then told the world that a diplomatic agreement with Tehran could be finalised within days. According to reports, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was not told beforehand. He learned of the decision only once it was public.

Trump announced the pause in a post on Truth Social. He said talks with Tehran had reached the highest levels of Iran's leadership, and that he had received indications Iran's leaders had approved a framework for renewed negotiations. That, he said, was why he called off the operation. The framework reportedly has three parts: an extension of the ceasefire, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and a new round of talks on Iran's nuclear programme.

Trump went further afterward. He declared that the United States had effectively "ended the war with Iran" and claimed Tehran had agreed never to develop, acquire or pursue nuclear weapons.

Israel's apparent exclusion is the part of the story that has drawn the most attention. Israel is among Washington's closest allies and one of the strongest advocates of keeping military pressure on Iran. Sources familiar with the matter said Israeli officials were caught off guard as word of the proposed agreement spread.

The Prime Minister's Office responded with a carefully worded statement. It expressed appreciation for Trump's commitment to making sure any final deal covers Iran's nuclear programme, its missile capabilities and its support for regional proxy groups. It did not endorse the diplomatic process itself. It said Israel expects any eventual agreement to require removal of enriched nuclear material, dismantling of enrichment infrastructure, limits on missile production and an end to Tehran's backing of militant organisations in the region.

The position is consistent with Netanyahu's stance over recent months. He has argued that Iran uses negotiations to buy time while it strengthens its military and regional influence. Israeli officials have maintained that sustained military pressure is the best way to extract real concessions. Reports say Netanyahu personally urged Trump to go ahead with the strikes rather than pause for diplomacy, and warned in recent discussions that Iran was engaged in diplomatic "foot-dragging" and could not be trusted.

The episode follows other signs of strain between the two leaders. Israel's military operations in Lebanon have been a major source of friction. Trump reportedly grew frustrated that Israeli action against Hezbollah was complicating wider diplomatic efforts involving Iran and several Gulf states. Those disagreements reportedly led to heated exchanges, and Trump later acknowledged he had been irritated by Israel's continued campaigns. Both leaders still publicly call each other close allies and have played down the disputes.

Trump made his own position plain in a recent interview, when he dismissed the idea that Netanyahu could derail a US-Iran deal. "He won't have any choice. I call the shots. He doesn't call the shots," he said.

Iran has not confirmed any breakthrough. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei called reports of a completed deal speculation and said Iran had made no final decision. He acknowledged that mediation involving Qatar and Pakistan continues, but accused Washington of repeatedly changing its negotiating positions. Iran, he said, will not compromise on what it regards as its core national interests and red lines.

Trump has indicated that a memorandum of understanding could be signed in Europe within days, with Vice President JD Vance expected to lead the American delegation. Whether that happens depends on a framework Iran has not formally endorsed and on a process Israel openly doubts.