Trump Draws Red Line for Netanyahu Amid Israel-Iran Strikes: 'Bibi, Be Careful'

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President Trump has issued a blunt warning to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, reportedly telling him 'Bibi, you better be careful, or you will be on your own very soon' amid a dangerous escalation of direct Israel-Iran strikes. The caution comes as Washington attempts to broker a lasting Middle East peace deal, which Trump claims is in its 'final throes,' but which is now imperiled by the latest round of hostilities. The high-stakes intervention underscores US anxieties that unchecked retaliation could derail fragile diplomatic efforts. The recent tit-for-tat began with Israeli strikes on Hezbollah targets in Beirut, triggering Iranian missile volleys against Israel, followed by further Israeli attacks on Iranian military installations and a petrochemical plant. This explosive exchange, the most direct confrontation since an April ceasefire, reignites fears of a full-scale regional war, threatening global energy flows through critical chokepoints like the Strait of Hormuz. Netanyahu, while agreeing to halt strikes 'for now' under intense US pressure, publicly asserted Israel 'full right to self-defence' and warned of forceful retaliation if attacks resume. With Iran and Israel signaling a temporary cessation of fire following Trump's direct appeals, the focus returns to the elusive US-led peace negotiations. Trump has optimistically stated a deal could materialize in 'two or three days,' but deep divisions remain, particularly concerning Israel operations against Hezbollah and Iran demands regarding Lebanon. The coming days will test whether this fragile truce can hold, or if the region is on the cusp of an uncontrollable conflict, further complicating the already volatile Middle East.