Trump warns Netanyahu’s trial could disrupt Iran talks
US President Donald Trump criticized the prosecution of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, calling him a “war hero” and warning the trial could jeopardize ongoing negotiations with Iran and Hamas.
“This travesty of ‘Justice’ will interfere with both Iran and Hamas negotiations. In other words, it is INSANITY doing what the out-of-control prosecutors are doing to Bibi Netanyahu,” Trump posted on Truth Social on Saturday.
Trump praised Netanyahu’s role in countering Iran’s nuclear ambitions and securing a hostage deal with Hamas.
He cautioned that the legal proceedings could disrupt critical diplomatic efforts and emphasized US support for Israel, saying, “LET BIBI GO, HE’S GOT A BIG JOB TO DO!”
The trial remains a divisive issue within Israel and continues to spark heated debate.
Iranian authorities arrested 10 Jewish citizens during a midnight raid, according to an eyewitness account reported by Israel’s Channel 12 on Saturday.
A woman identified as Miriam described armed men entering homes, threatening residents, and detaining six women and four men because of their Jewish identity.
The women were later released on bail, the report said.
The arrests are linked to unverified allegations of ties to Israel, reflecting a broader pattern of targeting religious minorities.
Some analysts have dismissed the charges as baseless, accusing Iran of politically motivated persecution.
Human rights groups have called for transparency as Iran’s Jewish community—now numbering fewer than 10,000—faces increasing pressure amid rising Iran-Israel tensions.
Europe plays a central role in negotiations with Iran and holds powerful leverage, including the snapback of UN sanctions, France’s foreign minister said, warning that European powers may trigger the mechanism if Iran fails to reach a deal with world powers.
“Europeans have extremely powerful leverage,” Jean-Noël Barrot said on LCI Television Sunday.
Europe could reinstate the UN sanctions through the so-called snapback mechanism to press Iran for a diplomatic resolution, Barrot added.
“France, together with its European partners, can, with a simple letter, reimpose a global embargo on weapons, nuclear equipment, and banking and insurance sectors in Iran, which were lifted 10 years ago.”
Under UN Security Council Resolution 2231, any current party to the 2015 nuclear deal (JCPOA) including France, Germany, the UK, Russia, and China can file a non-compliance complaint with the Security Council.
If no resolution is adopted within 30 days to maintain sanctions relief, all previous UN sanctions automatically snap back, including cargo inspections, arms embargoes, and restrictions on missile-related technologies.
To prevent snapback, the Council must pass a resolution during the 30-day review period; however, any permanent member can veto it. Therefore, if the US or E3 oppose, sanctions are reinstated by default.
US President Donald Trump said after military operations in Iran that Tehran "doesn’t want to speak to Europe. They want to speak to us. Europe is not going to be able to help in this one.”
In response to Trump’s remarks, Barrot said: “We hold this power, which is why we will play an essential role in these negotiations. Ten days ago, at President Trump’s request, I was in Geneva with my German and British counterparts to begin face-to-face discussions with Iran’s Foreign Minister.”
Barrot further said Iran’s continued cooperation with the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) is vital, calling the agency the most effective tool to implement and verify Non-Proliferation Treaty compliance.
Last week, Iran’s parliament approved a bill to suspend cooperation with the IAEA, just one day after a ceasefire with Israel ended 12 days of conflict. Subsequently, Iran’s Guardian Council ratified the bill, mandating the government to halt cooperation.
There has been significant damage to Iran’s nuclear facilities, yet the country could restart uranium enrichment within months, the head of the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) said.
“The capacities they have are there. They could have, in a matter of months—or even less—a few cascades of centrifuges spinning and producing enriched uranium,” Grossi told CBS News' Face the Nation on Sunday.
“Frankly speaking, one cannot claim that everything has disappeared. There is still something there.”
Asked about the extent of damage from US military actions on nuclear sites, Grossi said it depends on how one defines damage.
“What happened—particularly in Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan, where Iran used to have, and still retains to some extent, capabilities for uranium treatment, conversion, and enrichment—has been significantly destroyed,” he said.
US special envoy Steve Witkoff said on Wednesday there are “signs” that an agreement can be reached with Iran.
“We’re having conversations with the Iranians. There are multiple interlocutors reaching out to us. I think that they’re ready,” he told CNBC.
In his interview with CBS, Grossi clarified that the IAEA is not involved in those negotiations. “Our role is to monitor and verify. We’re not part of the direct talks,” he explained.
On whether Iran’s nuclear activity before the US and Israeli strikes indicated weaponization, Grossi said: “We haven’t seen a program aiming in that direction. But they are not answering very important, pending questions. That’s the truth.”
Last week, Iran’s parliament passed a bill to suspend cooperation with the IAEA. The Guardian Council approved it shortly afterward.
Grossi said that Iran remains a signatory to the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), which overrides domestic law.
“An international treaty takes precedence. You cannot cite internal legislation to avoid your international obligations. Iran has not done so yet, which I see as constructive,” Grossi added.
The recent reports of Iran's secret activities at the nuclear sites bombed by the US invite further attacks and heighten nuclear risks despite the current ceasefire with Israel, a former UN nuclear watchdog inspector told Iran International.
“This is a ceasefire agreement. This is not arms control. This is a ceasefire agreement, and the war can start at any moment,” said David Albright, the president of the Institute for Science and International Security in Washington, DC.
“There were reports yesterday in the media or on X that Iran was digging back into the Isfahan mountain complex where enriched uranium may be stored. It is inviting attacks.”
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot says European powers "have an extremely powerful leverage" in nuclear negotiations with Iran, unlike what Donald Trump says.
"If Iran, which did not respect the commitments made 10 years ago when we reached an agreement with them, refuses to negotiate a strict and lasting framework for its nuclear program, then France, along with its European partners, can simply — with a single letter — reinstate the global embargo on weapons, nuclear equipment, as well as banking and insurance, which had been lifted 10 years ago," the French foreign minister said.
"We have this power, that's why one way or another we will play an essential role in these negotiations," he told La Chaîne Info (LCI).
