Israeli Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu told President Donald Trump that Israel must retain full operational freedom against threats in Lebanon during a phone conversation centered on the emerging diplomatic framework between Washington and Iran, according to an Israeli source familiar with the discussion.

The call came as expectations mounted that a potential breakthrough could be nearing in the three-month conflict involving the United States, Israel, and Iran.

Trump announced over the weekend that Washington and Tehran had “largely negotiated” a memorandum of understanding aimed at ending the fighting and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a critical global shipping route that has effectively remained shut since the U.S. and Israel launched military operations against Iran in February.

According to the Israeli source, Netanyahu made clear during the conversation that Jerusalem would not accept restrictions on Israeli military activity against threats emanating from Lebanon.

“In last night’s conversation with President Trump, the Prime Minister emphasized that Israel will maintain freedom of action against threats in all ⁠arenas, including Lebanon, and President Trump reiterated and supported this principle,” the Israeli political source told Reuters on Sunday, asking not to be named.

The developing agreement reportedly is being brokered in part through Pakistani mediation efforts, and Trump suggested that reopening the Strait of Hormuz could become one of the central achievements of the deal.

Iran’s semi-official Fars News Agency reported that the draft framework includes provisions under which the United States and its allies would agree not to attack Iran or its regional proxies, while Tehran would pledge not to carry out preemptive strikes against them.

The emerging framework has already sparked concern inside Israel.

Benny Gantz warned that it would ⁠be a strategic mistake for Israel to accept a ceasefire arrangement in Lebanon while Israeli forces remain engaged in operations against the Iranian-backed Hezbollah terror group.

According to the Israeli source, Washington has continued updating Israeli officials on the status of the negotiations with Iran as talks advance.

The source added that Trump remains firm on his central demands regarding Tehran’s nuclear capabilities.

“President Trump made it clear that he will stand firm in negotiations on his consistent demand for the dismantling of the Iranian nuclear program and the removal of all enriched uranium from its territory,” the source said, “and that he will not sign a final agreement without these conditions being met.”

Following the conversation, Trump posted briefly on Truth Social, writing that his discussion with Netanyahu had gone “very well.”

{Matzav.com}