'Israel did not talk me into war': Trump hits back at reports of Netanyahu's role in Iran attack

US President Donald Trump on Monday denied that Israel persuaded him to go to war with Iran, pushing back against news reports suggesting Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had influenced his decision to launch military action.

"Israel never talked me into the war with Iran," Trump wrote on Truth Social. He said the October 7 attacks, combined with what he called his "lifelong opinion" that Iran must not acquire nuclear weapons, drove the decision.



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Trump's post came as the United States prepared to resume negotiations with Iran in Islamabad, Pakistan, though Tehran's participation remained deeply uncertain.

Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei said his country had "no plans for the next round of negotiations" as of now, citing the US naval blockade of the Strait of Hormuz since April 13 and the overnight capture of an Iranian container ship as breaches of the ceasefire and international law.

The first round of talks in Islamabad on April 11 lasted 21 hours but ended without an agreement, largely over Iran's refusal to abandon its nuclear programme.

White House deputy chief of staff Stephen Miller subsequently said Trump had a red line on Iran developing nuclear weapons and would use force if necessary to prevent it.

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The two-week ceasefire, brokered by Pakistan on April 8, is set to expire on Wednesday. Iran cited what it called Washington's excessive demands, unrealistic expectations, constant shifts in stance, and the ongoing naval blockade as reasons for its absence from a second round.

The US president also gestured at the prospect of leadership change in Tehran. "And if Iran's new leaders (Regime Change!) are smart, Iran can have a great and prosperous future!" he wrote.