Netanyahu urges Trump to postpone Iran attack

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly requested that President Donald Trump postpone a potential US military strike against Iran, according to a report by The New York Times on Thursday, 15 January.

The report suggests that the United States has not cancelled plans for an attack on Iran but has instead opted to adjust the timing of its operations.

Israel’s Channel 14 reported that Washington initially informed Tel Aviv on Wednesday that a strike could occur overnight. However, this plan was subsequently suspended.

Earlier, in an interview with Fox News, President Trump stated that, following his warnings, a protester detained in Iran would not face the death penalty. He added that similar decisions had been taken regarding other detainees as well.

Meanwhile, AFP cited a Saudi official stating that Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Oman had successfully persuaded President Trump to allow Iran more time and refrain from military action. In response, Trump wrote on his Truth Social account: “This is good news… hope it continues.”

Amid these developments, the Iranian government announced that no death sentence had been imposed on Erfan Soltani, who had been detained for participating in protests. The country’s judiciary clarified that he faces charges of anti-state activities, for which the maximum punishment is imprisonment, not execution.

President Trump further indicated that he had been informed of a suspension of death penalties in Iran and suggested that the nation was moving towards halting executions.

The following table summarises the key developments surrounding the potential US strike on Iran and the associated diplomatic interventions:

This series of diplomatic manoeuvres underscores the complex web of international relations surrounding the Iran issue, highlighting how regional powers can influence US decision-making and potentially avert military escalation.