Senior Source: Qatar, China, and Russia Behind Rising Hostility Toward Israel
A day after the meeting at the White House, a senior political source briefed journalists in Washington on the talks between Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu. The discussion covered Iran, the status of Mojtaba Khamenei, and the IDF's presence in Lebanon and Syria.
"The atmosphere at the meeting between US President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was excellent." This was stated this afternoon by a senior political source in a briefing to journalists in Washington, a day after the meeting between the two.
According to the source, most of the conversation time was devoted to Iran, with three options on the table: an agreement, economic pressure measures, or intensifying strikes on Iran.
The source detailed: "We discussed each of these options extensively and honestly. Not to promote one of them, but to check objectively what the most desirable result would be, how to reach it, what the dangers are, and what the advantages and disadvantages of each path are. If the Iranians attack us, there is no situation where we will not respond with force. They have not attacked us until now, but they have approached and attacked in Jordan. Perhaps they will try at lower levels, such as UAVs. The Iranians know."
That same source criticized the journalists when he said: "There is political propaganda when the truth is not told. The atmosphere was great, also in substance. There was no argument about a photo op; the Americans said they prefer an open conversation."
"I think it is clear to everyone that these are not spins. There is the relevant question of the sensitivity of the markets and the world economy, and on the other hand, the ability to continue the pressure," he explained.
"Can confirm that Mojtaba is alive"
"The pressure on Iran's economy is very heavy. Very long lines at gas stations, disruptions in diesel supply. One can identify sprouts of protests by frustrated citizens. The regime is very afraid of this."
The source emphasized: "I would have been happy if the Iranian regime had raised a white flag on the first day, but that did not happen. It has weakened and preserves itself thanks to extortion in the Strait of Hormuz." Regarding Mojtaba Khamenei, he said: "Currently, since the beginning of the 'Lion's Roar' operation, no one can testify that they have seen the Ayatollah. We can testify that he is alive. He is overall currently very negative in his influence, but he exists."
"The most important thing right now is how to bring the nuclear program to an end. We have no hesitation in the event that we return to intensive action to act also against the 'metastases'; we do not want containment of aggression and of the nuclear program."
"The second goal is ballistic missiles. We hit their production capability and set it back several good years. Their production quantity today is different. Also here there is no hocus pocus, and then the issue of the proxies. All these things came up in the conversations with Steve Witkoff and Vice President Vance."
Regarding the relationship between Netanyahu and the American president, the political source marveled with a metaphor: "They are like a couple who have been married for many years. They don't waste time, they speak openly and in a very good spirit."
When the senior political source was asked about the issue of continuing withdrawals from Lebanon and Syria, he replied: "I raised the issue, not the Americans. Turkey holds 5% of Syria's territory, and Israel holds one-thousandth. The area is very unstable. We are there to protect ourselves, and as long as the threat continues, we will remain in these places."
That same source expanded on the subject of withdrawals: "I just wanted to use the time. I know that sometimes Trump has certain impressions and assessments that if you don't find a way to change them, then it is fixed. Just to show the facts, if possible in a visual way. These things have a cumulative weight from factors in other places."
