Trump sees Iran deal chance, Netanyahu vows to protect interests

2026-03-23 - 20:00

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu revealed Monday evening that US President Donald Trump sees a potential opening for a diplomatic agreement with Iran. Speaking after Trump announced a five-day pause on strikes targeting Iranian power plants and energy infrastructure, Netanyahu said the US president “believes there is a chance to leverage the significant achievements of the IDF and the US military to realize the war objectives in an agreement, an agreement that will protect our vital interests.” Dual track of diplomacy and strikes Despite the diplomatic pause, Netanyahu made clear that Israeli military operations would continue unabated. “At the same time, we continue to strike both in Iran and in Lebanon,” he stated. “We are crushing the missile and nuclear program to dust and continue to hit Hezbollah hard.” The premier also disclosed that Israel and the United States had killed two additional nuclear scientists in Iran in recent days, underscoring that military pressure remains a core component of the strategy. “We will protect our vital interests in any situation,” Netanyahu added. Trump’s five-day pause and talk of agreement Earlier Monday, Trump announced on Truth Social that he had ordered a halt to strikes on Iranian energy facilities for five days, citing “very good and productive conversations” between Washington and Tehran over the previous 48 hours. He expressed hope that a “complete and total resolution” of hostilities could be achieved. However, Iran has publicly denied that any negotiations are underway, leaving the status of the reported talks unclear. Türkiye’s perspective on mediation and stability Ankara has closely monitored the diplomatic signals emanating from Washington and Tel Aviv. Turkish officials have repeatedly emphasized the need for restraint and a return to dialogue, warning that continued military escalation threatens to draw in neighboring states and further destabilize the region. While welcoming any de-escalatory steps, Türkiye remains cautious, noting that simultaneous Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear infrastructure and Hezbollah targets in Lebanon risk undermining the fragile pause. Turkey continues to advocate for an inclusive diplomatic process that addresses the concerns of all regional actors and prevents a wider conflagration.