Trump and Netanyahu Celebrate Iran Strikes, Eye Gaza Ceasefire/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Trump and Netanyahu celebrated joint strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites, with Netanyahu nominating Trump for a Nobel Peace Prize. Despite the strikes, Iran has not confirmed resuming nuclear talks, while damage to facilities remains severe. Meanwhile, Trump and Netanyahu face pressure to secure a Gaza ceasefire amid ongoing conflict and humanitarian crisis.
Quick Look
- Trump, Netanyahu celebrate strikes on Iranian nuclear sites
- Iran nuclear talks possible but unconfirmed
- U.S. pushes Gaza ceasefire as conflict toll rises
Trump and Netanyahu Celebrate Iran Strikes, Eye Gaza Ceasefire
Deep look
WASHINGTON (AP) — Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu nominated President Donald Trump for the Nobel Peace Prize on Monday as the two leaders celebrated their joint military strikes against Iran’s nuclear facilities and discussed the path forward for a ceasefire in Gaza.
Gathering for dinner in the White House Blue Room, Trump and Netanyahu hailed the Iran operation as a major success. The Israeli leader handed Trump a letter nominating him for the peace prize, calling the president a force for regional stability.
“He’s forging peace as we speak, one country and one region after the other,” Netanyahu declared, while Trump responded, “Coming from you in particular, this is very meaningful.”
Strikes on Iran, But No New Talks Yet
The praise comes after the U.S. dropped bunker-buster bombs and Tomahawk missiles on three Iranian nuclear sites — a move long advocated by Netanyahu. Trump has touted the operation as a blow to Tehran’s nuclear ambitions and a step toward a more peaceful Middle East.
Despite the military strikes, Trump claimed Monday that Iran was seeking to resume nuclear negotiations with the U.S., though Tehran has yet to confirm any new talks.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, in an interview released Monday with conservative U.S. commentator Tucker Carlson, said the U.S. strikes caused severe damage to Iran’s nuclear facilities, complicating any plans to allow international inspections.
“We stand ready to have such supervision,” Pezeshkian said. “Unfortunately, as a result of the United States’ unlawful attacks… many of the pieces of equipment and the facilities there have been severely damaged.”
Gaza Ceasefire Push Gains Urgency
While celebrating military gains, the two leaders also confronted the ongoing war in Gaza, where fighting has killed over 57,000 Palestinians and left Israel increasingly isolated on the world stage.
Trump’s administration is pushing a 60-day ceasefire deal that would pause hostilities, allow significant humanitarian aid into Gaza, and free at least some of the 50 hostages still believed to be alive. However, major obstacles remain: Hamas wants a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza, while Netanyahu insists the war won’t end until Hamas disarms and leaves the territory.
White House officials announced that Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff will travel to Doha this week for further talks aimed at advancing the ceasefire proposal.
“We’ll work out a peace with our Palestinian neighbors, those that don’t want to destroy us,” Netanyahu said, reaffirming Israel’s stance that it must maintain sovereign security control.
A New Chapter in U.S.-Israel Ties
Monday’s warm meeting signaled a new high point in the Trump-Netanyahu relationship, after periods of tension even during Trump’s current term. Earlier this year, Trump startled Netanyahu by revealing U.S. plans for new nuclear talks with Iran during an earlier White House visit.
Still, Netanyahu now faces a delicate balancing act. He must navigate U.S. pressure to end the Gaza war while managing hardliners in his governing coalition who fiercely oppose a ceasefire.
Trump, who has previously hinted that Netanyahu owes him politically, may press for concessions in Gaza, especially after supporting Israel’s military action against Iran.
“Trump thinks that Netanyahu owes him,” said Eytan Gilboa, a U.S.-Israel affairs expert at Bar-Ilan University near Tel Aviv. “And if Trump thinks that he needs to end the war in Gaza, then that is what he will need to do.”
As regional dynamics shift, the stakes remain high for both leaders — and for the fragile peace prospects across the Middle East.
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