Amid an unannounced ceasefire between the United States and Iran, President Donald Trump has warned of potential military escalation if ongoing diplomatic efforts fail, Axios reported on Monday.
Speaking about the status of negotiations, Trump said, “We are in very deep talks with Iran. If they don’t work out, we will go back to very strong military action.”
The US president signalled limited patience for prolonged diplomacy when asked about the timeframe for talks. “Not much time. Either it goes fast or not at all,” he said.
Netanyahu says Iran to top agenda in meeting with Trump
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday said that Iran would be at the forefront of discussions with United States President Donald Trump. In a post on X, Netanyahu stated, “I am heading out now to a meeting with our friend, President Donald Trump, this is our eighth meeting since he was elected to his second term, more than with any other international leader.”
Terming it a “great honour” and “great responsibility,” the Israeli prime minister noted that his meeting with Trump would “discuss all the issues on the table, with Iran at the forefront.” He added, “Our goal is clear: to safeguard Israel’s security, strengthen its power, and expand the circle of peace around us.”
Further, Netanyahu stated, “I am embarking on this mission out of a deep commitment to ensure the security, strength, and future of the State of Israel.”
He added that during his visit, he would also pay respects “to a true friend of mine and of the State of Israel, Senator Lindsey Graham” whom he termed “one of Israel’s greatest friends of all time.”
Earlier in the day, the State of Israel’s Arabic-language account on X said that Netanyahu had departed for Washington, DC, where he is would meet Trump.
According to the post, the prime minister was undertaking the visit at Trump’s invitation, with the two leaders expected to discuss “issues of concern to both countries”.
The visit comes as Netanyahu remains the subject of an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant. The ICC issued warrants in November 2024 for Netanyahu and former Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged crimes against humanity committed amid Israel’s war on Gaza.
Jordan condemns drone attacks targeting Saudi Arabia
Jordan denounced attempted air attacks on Saudi Arabia’s oil facilities, according to Al Jazeera.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs said projectile strikes that Riyadh said originated from Iraq were a “flagrant violation of Saudi Arabia’s sovereignty, a threat to its security and stability and a serious breach of international law and the United Nations Charter”, the Jordan News Agency reported.
Amman reiterated its solidarity with Riyadh, saying it “supported all efforts taken to protect its security”.
Fire at Saudi oil facility following drone and missile attacks: Iranian media
Iran’s Fars news agency reported that drone and missile attacks caused a fire at Saudi Arabia’s Abqaiq oil facility.
This came after a statement from the spokesperson for Yemen’s Houthis, also carried by Fars, which claims drone attacks on “several sensitive points along the route for supplying and transferring crude oil from eastern Saudi Arabia to Yanbu”.
Lebanon president thanks UAE for support; condemns attacks on Gulf states
Lebanese President Joseph Aoun thanked the United Arab Emirates for its continued support of his country and reiterated his condemnation of attacks targeting Gulf countries, according to a report by Al Jazeera.
During a meeting with Saqr Ghobash, speaker of the UAE’s Federal National Council, Aoun thanked the emirates for support “in all fields” and renewed his “condemnation of attacks” which he says threatened “the security and stability in the Gulf countries and the region as a whole if they continue”.
Aoun welcomed the UAE’s recent decision to allow citizens to travel to Lebanon, saying it reflected the “depth of the fraternal relations” between the two countries and their peoples, read a statement from the Lebanese presidency posted on X.
Yemen’s Houthis claim they launched drone attacks on Saudi oil infrastructure
Yemen’s Houthi rebels claimed they launched drone attacks on Saudi Arabian oil infrastructure in response to alleged incursions by the kingdom’s drones.
Houthi military spokesman Yahya Saree said “a number of sensitive targets and points involved in the supply and transport of crude oil from eastern Saudi Arabia to Yanbu were struck using several drones”, referring to the port city where the kingdom’s East-West pipeline reaches the Red Sea.
There was no immediate confirmation from Saudi Arabia or reports of damage or casualties.
Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Israel intercept drones
Saudi Arabia’s Ministry of Defence, citing its official spokesperson Major General Turki Al-Maliki, said in an X post that “air defences intercepted and destroyed a number of drones during the past hours that attempted to target petroleum facilities in the Eastern Region and Riyadh.”
The ministry added that Al-Maliki “clarified that these terrorist attempts were launched from Iraqi territory and carried out by Iranian-backed terrorist militias, affirming the Kingdom’s legitimate right to defend itself and its capabilities, and its retention of the right to respond at the appropriate time and place.”
Meanwhile, Jordan’s armed forces on Monday said two drones had been intercepted, without identifying who launched the drones, Al Jazeera reported. According to the Qatari news agency, no casualties or material damage was reported.
The Israeli military also claimed that it intercepted two drones near the Jordanian border and was investigating where they had been launched from, according to AFP.