Trump changed course on Iran ceasefire provision after speaking with Benjamin Netanyahu: Report
WASHINGTON, DC: According to reports, US President Donald Trump reversed his stance on a critical clause of the US-Iran ceasefire agreement after having a phone conversation with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
This is happening against the backdrop of increasing uncertainty surrounding the ceasefire deal, which was signed just last week, about whether it extended to conflicts between Israel and Lebanon.
Trump reportedly shifted stance after Netanyahu's call
According to reports by CBS News, Trump had initially been informed that the ceasefire would include a halt to hostilities in Lebanon as part of the broader agreement.
In addition, on Tuesday, Trump announced that he had reached a ceasefire agreement with Iran for two weeks.
As part of this agreement, he stated that Iran would reopen the Strait of Hormuz. But the strait is almost blocked, as Iran stated that the ceasefire includes halting Israel’s attack on Lebanon.
The Lebanese crisis continues because the prime minister of Pakistan, who mediated the talks, stated that a ceasefire in Lebanon is one of the terms in the deal.
Furthermore, Trump had previously stated that Lebanon was part of the ceasefire deal, as CBS News reported: “Multiple diplomatic sources told CBS that President Trump had been told the ceasefire would apply to the Middle East region, and he agreed that included Lebanon.”
“Mediators believed the ceasefire to include Lebanon, and Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif of Pakistan announced it did. Iran’s foreign minister also said it was included.”
Following the reported call, Trump aligned with Israel’s position that Lebanon was not included in the ceasefire, marking a shift from earlier understandings of the agreement.
“However, the US position shifted following a phone call between Netanyahu and Mr Trump,” the report stated.
Confusion continues over ceasefire scope
The reported reversal has added to broader uncertainty surrounding the ceasefire’s implementation. “Two sources familiar told CBS News that the changing US positions and the disjointed regime in Iran are making the diplomacy highly complex.”
On Thursday, Trump warned Iran that it “better not be” blocking the strait, and “if they are, they better stop now!”
Recently, The NYT published a lengthy report of how Trump came to decide to wage war on Iran. Key to his understanding of the situation was Netanyahu, who gave a presentation at the White House.
“In the Situation Room on Feb. 11, Mr Netanyahu made a hard sell, suggesting that Iran was ripe for regime change and expressing the belief that a joint US-Israeli mission could finally bring an end to the Islamic Republic,” the Times reported.
As for Trump, the ceasefire is considered to be an initiative towards broader discussions, even if there are no particular facts regarding its implementation into something more lasting yet.
However, what stands out about the policy shift following the discussion with Netanyahu is that coordination with allies plays a key role in shaping decisions during the conflict.
