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U.S. President Donald Trump assured Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a Saturday night call that he would stand firm on demanding Iran's nuclear programme be fully dismantled and all enriched uranium removed from its territory before any final agreement is signed, a senior Israeli official told Agence France-Presse (AFP) on Sunday.
"President Trump made clear that he will remain steadfast in the negotiations regarding his longstanding demand for the dismantlement of Iran's nuclear programme and the removal of all enriched uranium from Iranian territory, and that he will not sign a final agreement absent these conditions," the senior Israeli official told AFP.
The official confirmed that the U.S. is keeping Israel updated on negotiations surrounding the memorandum of understanding for reopening the Strait of Hormuz and on entering talks toward a final agreement on outstanding disputed issues.
During the Saturday call, Netanyahu stressed that Israel "will preserve its freedom of action against threats on all fronts, including Lebanon," the Israeli official said.
"President Trump reiterated his support for this principle," the official added.
An Israeli political source told Reuters that Netanyahu had made this message explicit during the conversation. Trump confirmed the call had gone "very well" in a post on Truth Social.
Prominent Israeli politician Benny Gantz said it would be a strategic mistake for Israel to accept a ceasefire in Lebanon, where Israeli troops are engaged against Iran-backed Hezbollah, as part of an Iran deal. Iran's state media has reported throughout the day that a deal can only be reached if all hostilities end, including in Lebanon.
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Regional tensions have escalated since the U.S. and Israel launched strikes against Iran in February. Tehran retaliated with strikes targeting Israel as well as U.S. allies in the Gulf, along with the closure of the Strait of Hormuz.
A ceasefire took effect on April 8 through Pakistani mediation and was later extended by Trump indefinitely.
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