As the conflict between Iran and Israel intensifies, an official from Iran’s presidential office says there’s still a way to stop the fighting—and it starts with a phone call from Washington.

“President Trump can easily stop the war with just one call to the Israelis,” said Majid Farahani, a senior Iranian presidency official, in an interview with CNN on Friday.

“Iran believes in civilian dialogue,” he added. “Whether direct or indirect—it doesn’t matter.”

Diplomatic Window Opens—but Nuclear Disputes Remain

According to Farahani, Iran is open to restarting diplomacy but insists that talks are impossible as long as Israeli airstrikes continue. One major sticking point remains Iran’s nuclear program.

Farahani confirmed that Iran has no plans to halt uranium enrichment, a process that has drawn international concern due to its potential military applications.

“Maybe it can be lower,” he said, “but we don’t stop it.”

Iran maintains its enrichment program is for peaceful purposes, even as it produces material close to weapons-grade. Meanwhile, pressure is mounting from the West. On Friday, France’s foreign ministry called for “zero enrichment” in line with the growing position among Western powers.

A Sliver of Hope for Peace Talks

Despite the rising tension, a glimmer of diplomacy appeared Friday. Foreign ministers from Iran, Britain, France, and Germany met face-to-face in Geneva—joined by the European Union’s foreign policy chief. It was the first high-level diplomatic meeting since the current conflict began.

President Trump, after issuing a series of aggressive warnings, has opted to keep a two-week window open for potential negotiations before making a final decision on military action. The move reflects divisions within the U.S. administration over how far to escalate the situation.

“If America gets involved in the war,” warned Farahani, “there are so many options—and all of those options are on the table.”

Anger in Tehran: Protests Target Israel and the U.S.

On Friday, massive protests erupted in Tehran, fueled by growing outrage over the bombing campaign. A CNN crew on the ground reported seeing crowds waving Iranian, Palestinian, and Hezbollah flags, and burning U.S. and Israeli flags.

The chants—“Death to Israel, Death to America”—echoed through the streets, a familiar refrain in Iranian state-backed demonstrations. But the emotional intensity of this protest was palpable.

“Trump, you are threatening my leader,” one woman told CNN. “Don’t you know that my nation believes death is sweeter than honey?”

What Comes Next?

As diplomacy hangs by a thread and emotions run high on both sides, the next few days will likely prove critical. The world watches closely to see whether dialogue prevails—or whether war becomes inevitable.

Source: CNN – The US can end Iran conflict with one call, official from Iran’s presidency says

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As tensions between Israel and Iran escalate, former President Donald Trump faces one of the most consequential decisions of his post-presidency: whether to involve the U.S. military in strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities.

Sources close to the matter say Trump is walking a fine line. While he’s open to helping Israel hit hard — possibly with bunker-busting bombs targeting Iran’s underground nuclear sites — he’s just as determined to avoid plunging the United States into a drawn-out war.

“I like to make the final decision one second before it’s due,” Trump said from the Oval Office. “Especially with war, things change. It can go from one extreme to the other.”

A Reluctant Warrior?

Trump’s inner circle — including national security officials and foreign policy aides — have been weighing options for targeted U.S. military action. One model they keep revisiting: Trump’s 2020 drone strike that killed Iranian General Qasem Soleimani. It was a serious blow to Iran but, in the administration’s view, did not lead to all-out war.

The goal this time, they argue, would be similar: a decisive, limited strike that degrades Iran’s nuclear capacity without dragging the U.S. into a regional conflict.

David Friedman, Trump’s former ambassador to Israel, downplayed the risks of escalation on social media:

“America might just drop a few MOABs on Fordow, destroy the last nuclear asset, and then leave. The air space already is clear. How is that being dragged into anything?”

Still, sources say Trump hasn’t made a final decision — and he’s in no rush. Over the weekend, his administration signaled to U.S. allies that it would wait to see what Israel could achieve on its own before committing American firepower.

Risks on All Sides

While Israel pushes for U.S. help, allies are urging caution. European diplomats and American lawmakers alike fear the fallout of U.S. strikes — from Iranian retaliation to a potential blockade of the oil-rich Strait of Hormuz.

Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi made Tehran’s warning crystal clear:

“If the Americans decide to get involved militarily, we have no choice but to retaliate wherever we find the targets necessary to be acted upon… That is clear and simple.”

There’s also concern that U.S. action could accelerate Iran’s nuclear ambitions, not stop them. Intelligence officials have warned that Iran may see any strike as justification to build a weapon outright.

Behind Closed Doors: Camp David and Quiet Strategy Talks

In the days before Israel launched its latest attack, Trump held an impromptu intelligence briefing at Camp David. CIA Director John Ratcliffe, along with Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard, rushed to join after learning that Israeli action was imminent.

Ratcliffe updated Trump on Iran’s nuclear program and warned of possible next moves. Sources say the session, while hastily arranged, shaped much of Trump’s current thinking — and kept military leaders like Gen. Michael Kurilla, head of U.S. Central Command, on high alert.

Kurilla, a longtime supporter of Israel, has reportedly pushed for more U.S. assets to be deployed to the Middle East. He wants to ensure readiness if things spiral — especially in case Iran’s regional proxies like the Houthis or Hezbollah get involved.

Divisions in Trump’s Circle and on Capitol Hill

Inside Trump’s camp, opinions are split. Some see surgical strikes as a show of strength without long-term entanglement. Others warn that there’s no such thing as a “quick” war with Iran.

Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho), chairman of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, has praised Trump’s restraint so far:

“I think he has done a masterful job of threading a very, very difficult needle.”

But not everyone is convinced. Sen. Josh Hawley (R-Missouri) expressed strong reservations:

“I don’t want us fighting a war. I don’t want another Mideast war. I’m a little concerned about our sudden military buildup in the region.”

Meanwhile, the Pentagon has quietly begun preparing for possible Iranian retaliation, even before Trump gives a green light.

One Goal, One Red Line

Despite the strategic back-and-forth, Trump insists his end goal remains clear:

“I only want one thing: Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon,” he said Wednesday.
“That’s it. I’m not looking long term, short term. And I’ve been saying that for 20 years.”

Whether he can achieve that without igniting a wider war is the billion-dollar question — one the world is now waiting for him to answer.

Source: CNN – Trump focused on avoiding wider conflict as he nears decision on US strikes in Iran, sources say

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Efforts to secure a ceasefire between Israel and Hezbollah are intensifying, with Hezbollah reportedly considering a proposal from the United States and Israel. This development comes amid ongoing violence and a humanitarian crisis in Lebanon.

Diplomatic Negotiations in Full Swing

The proposal, relayed by US Ambassador to Lebanon Lisa Johnson to Lebanese officials, has sparked optimism. Lebanese authorities anticipate providing an official response by next Monday. According to sources, intense discussions are taking place in Beirut, involving political leaders and the American initiative. A Lebanese official described the current diplomatic push as being “on fire.”

Background of the Conflict

The conflict escalated in mid-September when Israel launched a major offensive in response to Hezbollah’s attacks, which were declared as acts of solidarity with Hamas and Palestinians in Gaza. Israel’s actions have displaced over a million people in Lebanon and caused significant casualties. On Thursday alone, Israeli strikes killed at least 43 people, including eight civil defense workers. The destruction also extended to the civil defense headquarters in Douris near Baalbek.

The US-Israeli Ceasefire Proposal

The proposal is the first significant step since a temporary ceasefire in late September collapsed following Israel’s killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah. The terms of the new agreement focus on:

• A 60-day cessation of hostilities.
• Enforcement of UN Resolution 1701, which calls for only the Lebanese Armed Forces (LAF) and UN peacekeepers to operate south of the Litani River.
• The withdrawal of Israeli ground forces to behind the internationally recognized border.
• Strengthened efforts by the LAF to combat smuggling along Lebanon’s borders.

The initiative is being framed as a foundation for a lasting peace.

Challenges and Points of Contention

Despite progress, several obstacles remain:

1. Hezbollah’s Role: Enforcing the group’s retreat from southern Lebanon is a sticking point.
2. Lebanese Armed Forces’ Readiness: Questions persist about whether the LAF can assume an active role in the region.
3. Timing and Political Implications: Some Israeli officials want to finalize the deal before US President-elect Donald Trump takes office, potentially presenting it as an early success for his administration.

International Involvement

The ongoing negotiations have the endorsement of President-elect Trump and are being led by Amos Hochstein, the Biden administration’s special envoy to Lebanon. While Trump’s transition team has signaled support for the efforts, they are mindful of the Logan Act, which restricts negotiations with foreign governments before taking office.

Looking Ahead

The US-Israeli proposal represents a critical step toward de-escalation, but its success hinges on resolving contentious points and securing buy-in from all parties involved. The stakes remain high as the region grapples with both military and humanitarian crises.

Source

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The Israel Defense Forces (IDF) issued a statement on the strikes, describing them as a necessary response to “months of continuous attacks from the regime in Iran against the State of Israel.” The IDF noted that Iran and its regional proxies have engaged Israel on multiple fronts since October 7, even launching direct attacks from within Iranian territory. “Like every other sovereign country, Israel has the right and duty to defend itself,” the statement read, adding, “We will do whatever necessary to protect the State and people of Israel.”

U.S. officials confirmed that Israel notified them of its planned strike ahead of the operation, though the U.S. had no direct involvement. National Security Council spokesman Sean Savett noted, “We understand Israel is conducting targeted defensive strikes against military targets in Iran.”

Iranian media reported damage to military bases near Tehran, though state-affiliated Tasnim news agency denied any impact to Tehran’s oil refinery.

Escalation of Tensions: Background of Recent Hostilities

The recent back-and-forth between Israel and Iran follows the killing of Hezbollah leader Hassan Nasrallah in Beirut and Hamas political head Ismail Haniyeh in Tehran in Israeli airstrikes. The IRGC claimed these deaths triggered its October 1 missile attack on Israel, which reportedly left one Palestinian dead in the West Bank but caused no Israeli casualties.

Following Iran’s assault, the U.S. Navy released footage of USS Cole and USS Bulkeley intercepting missiles aimed at thwarting the attack. In a prior April incident, Iran launched 300 missiles and drones at Israel, prompting Israel to retaliate by targeting Iran’s air defenses and damaging part of its S-300 system.

The U.S. Boosts Israel’s Defense with THAAD Support

In a show of support, the U.S. recently deployed a THAAD missile defense system to Israel, along with 100 troops to assist with operations. This move strengthens Israel’s defenses as both nations brace for potential escalation and monitor developments in the region closely.

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