Story perspectives

Netanyahu Halts Iran Airstrike After Trump Call, Ministers Protest

6/9/2026

Summary

Story summary

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cancelled an airstrike on Iran after a phone call with President Donald Trump.
The strike was halted while jets were on the runway, pausing Israel-Iran hostilities.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich opposed the cancellation, urging strikes on Hezbollah in Beirut.
President Donald Trump warned Israel it could be left alone if it escalated and said a U.S.–Iran deal was near.

History

Historical Context

On 7 June 1981 Israel launched Operation Opera, sending eight F-16A fighters escorted by six F-15As to destroy Iraq’s Osirak reactor and establish the Begin Doctrine of pre-emptive strikes. Decades later, in 2024 Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called U.S. President Donald Trump and halted a planned Israeli attack on Iran, showing how diplomatic channels now temper the unilateral approach first demonstrated in 1981.

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Story summary

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu cancelled an airstrike on Iran after a phone call with President Donald Trump.
The strike was halted while jets were on the runway, pausing Israel-Iran hostilities.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich opposed the cancellation, urging strikes on Hezbollah in Beirut.
President Donald Trump warned Israel it could be left alone if it escalated and said a U.S.–Iran deal was near.

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