Benjamin Netanyahu urges Trump to delay attack on Iran

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

The report clarifies that the United States has not cancelled plans for a strike but has instead adjusted the timing of any possible operation. Israeli media outlet Channel 14 reported that the US had informed Israel on Wednesday that a strike could be launched overnight, although the plans were subsequently put on hold.

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

Meanwhile, the French news agency AFP cited a Saudi official as saying that Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Oman had persuaded Trump to give Iran additional time and to refrain from military action. Trump echoed the development on his Truth Social account, describing it as “good news” and expressing hope that the situation would continue positively.

In parallel, Iranian authorities have clarified that no decision has been made to impose the death penalty on Erfan Soltani, who was arrested for participating in protests. The Iranian judiciary stated that Soltani faces charges of “anti-state activity,” for which the maximum penalty could be imprisonment, not execution.

President Trump also confirmed that he had been informed that executions in Iran had been suspended, signalling a potential de-escalation in the country’s punitive actions.

The situation highlights a complex interplay of international diplomacy, domestic pressures within Iran, and ongoing US-Israeli coordination. Experts suggest that the involvement of Gulf states in urging restraint reflects a regional desire to avoid escalation while pursuing diplomatic channels.

Summary Table of Key Developments:

Analysts caution that while immediate military action has been postponed, tensions remain high, and both diplomatic and military strategies are likely to evolve in the coming weeks.