Netanyahu Nominates Trump for Nobel After Iran Strikes \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu nominated Donald Trump for a Nobel Peace Prize following U.S.-Israeli joint strikes on Iranian nuclear sites. The leaders celebrated their operation while pushing a Gaza ceasefire. Iran remains silent on restarting talks amid heavy nuclear site damage.
Quick Looks
- Netanyahu nominates Trump for Nobel Peace Prize during White House dinner
- U.S.-Israeli airstrikes targeted three key Iranian nuclear facilities
- Trump says Iran wants to restart nuclear negotiations, Tehran hasn’t confirmed
- Iran’s president confirms severe damage to nuclear infrastructure
- U.S. pushes for 60-day Gaza ceasefire and hostage release
- Hamas demands full Israeli withdrawal in exchange for all hostages
- Netanyahu insists war won’t end until Hamas surrenders and disarms
- Trump-Netanyahu partnership strengthens as Gaza war intensifies
Deep Look
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu formally nominated Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize, citing the former U.S. president’s joint military action with Israel targeting Iranian nuclear sites. During a high-profile dinner at the White House Blue Room, the two leaders celebrated the success of the coordinated strikes while simultaneously navigating efforts to implement a 60-day ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. The moment marked both a diplomatic spectacle and a pivotal turning point in the broader Middle East crisis.
A Strategic Strike on Iran’s Nuclear Program
The operation that triggered the celebratory meeting was a powerful joint military strike carried out last month by the United States and Israel. Utilizing bunker-buster bombs and a barrage of Tomahawk missiles, U.S. forces reportedly obliterated three fortified Iranian nuclear sites. Netanyahu, a long-time advocate for preemptive military action against Tehran, hailed the mission as a “complete success.”
During the dinner, Netanyahu presented Trump with a formal nomination letter to the Nobel Peace Prize committee. “He’s forging peace as we speak,” Netanyahu said, calling the joint strike a historic step toward reshaping the Middle East. Trump echoed that sentiment: “They respect us and they respect Israel.”
Despite the show of unity, critics argue the airstrikes have further destabilized an already volatile region. Still, both leaders maintain that the bold show of force could open new paths toward negotiations.
Iran’s Silence and Destruction
While Trump insisted Iran was eager to resume nuclear negotiations, Tehran has not confirmed any such intent. Talks originally began in April but were abruptly suspended after the Israeli air campaign began. Trump claimed Iranian officials were reaching out for a new round of talks. “They want to talk,” he stated, asserting that the meeting could occur “within a week,” according to his Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff.
In a surprising move, Iran’s President Masoud Pezeshkian gave an interview to American commentator Tucker Carlson. He confirmed widespread destruction at the nuclear sites, saying Iranian authorities had still not gained access to assess the full scope of damage. Pezeshkian expressed a willingness to cooperate with the U.N. nuclear watchdog again, but cautioned that equipment losses were too severe for immediate inspections.
“Unfortunately, as a result of the United States’ unlawful attacks, many of the pieces of equipment and the facilities there have been severely damaged,” Pezeshkian said.
A Ceasefire Proposal in Gaza
While celebrating the Iran strike, Trump and Netanyahu also addressed the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza. Following a recent 12-day war between Israel and Iran, Trump expressed renewed urgency in bringing an end to the 21-month conflict between Israel and Hamas.
Discussions are now underway for a U.S.-backed 60-day ceasefire plan that would temporarily halt fighting, facilitate humanitarian aid delivery, and secure the release of at least 50 hostages—20 of whom are believed to be alive. Netanyahu met with Secretary of State Marco Rubio and envoy Steve Witkoff prior to the dinner. Witkoff is expected to travel to Doha, Qatar later this week to continue negotiations with Hamas representatives.
The deal, however, remains elusive. Hamas is reportedly demanding a full Israeli military withdrawal from Gaza in exchange for the release of all remaining hostages. Netanyahu has rejected that condition, insisting the war will not end unless Hamas surrenders, disarms, and exits Gaza—a position Hamas refuses to accept.
“We’ll work out a peace with our Palestinian neighbors, those that don’t want to destroy us,” Netanyahu said. “But our security must always be in our hands.”
Political Pressures and Mutual Leverage
The Trump-Netanyahu relationship has seen its ups and downs, but following the Iran operation, their alignment appears stronger than ever. During Netanyahu’s last Washington visit in April, Trump had unexpectedly announced new talks with Iran, blindsiding the Israeli leader. This time, Netanyahu seemed fully coordinated with Trump’s strategy.
Trump has offered public support for dismissing Netanyahu’s corruption trial, a politically sensitive gesture many analysts believe may carry expectations. In return, Trump has applied pressure on Netanyahu to finalize a Gaza ceasefire, especially as civilian casualties in the region continue to rise—over 57,000 Palestinians killed so far, according to health officials.
“Trump thinks that Netanyahu owes him,” said Eytan Gilboa, a U.S.-Israel affairs analyst from Bar-Ilan University. “And if Trump thinks that he needs to end the war in Gaza, then that is what he will need to do.”
Netanyahu also faces internal political pressure from his far-right coalition, which strongly opposes ending the war. But with Israel now enjoying unprecedented U.S. military and diplomatic support, especially after joint strikes on Iranian nuclear sites, Netanyahu may find it harder than ever to reject Trump’s calls for de-escalation.
A Fragile Path to Peace
Both leaders emerged from their meeting with bold declarations but limited clarity on the path forward. While the Iran strikes brought a moment of triumph, the Gaza conflict remains unresolved. Peace talks, hostage negotiations, and political balancing acts continue to shape the region’s future.
Trump remains “very optimistic” about a ceasefire deal but acknowledged its fragile nature: “It changes from day to day.”
Whether this alliance truly leads to long-term stability in the Middle East—or simply reinforces short-term geopolitical goals—remains to be seen.
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