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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has nominated U.S. President Donald Trump for a Nobel Peace Prize after their recent joint military strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities. The two leaders met for a dinner at the White House, where they celebrated the success of the operation and discussed efforts to bring a temporary halt to the ongoing conflict in Gaza.
Netanyahu praised Trump for his peace efforts, saying, “He’s forging peace as we speak, one country and one region after the other.” He presented Trump with a letter he said he had sent to the Nobel committee.
Trump, who has long shown interest in winning the Nobel Peace Prize, welcomed the gesture and noted his administration’s role in various peace efforts globally, including between India and Pakistan, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Rwanda, and now, between Israel and Iran.
The joint military strikes targeted three key Iranian nuclear sites, using powerful bunker-buster bombs and Tomahawk missiles. Trump said the attacks were successful and claimed that Iran now wants to resume talks on its nuclear program, though Iran has not officially confirmed this.
Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, said a meeting with Iranian officials could take place within a week. Meanwhile, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian acknowledged in an interview that the strikes had seriously damaged Iran’s nuclear facilities and said his government was willing to work again with the U.N. nuclear agency, although full access could not yet be granted due to the damage.
At the same dinner, Trump and Netanyahu also discussed a new 60-day ceasefire proposal for the war in Gaza. The plan, backed by the U.S., aims to stop the fighting temporarily, allow humanitarian aid into Gaza, and secure the release of some of the 50 remaining hostages, including 20 believed to be alive.
However, the terms of the ceasefire remain uncertain. Hamas wants a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza and a permanent end to the war in exchange for releasing all hostages. Netanyahu insists the war will only end if Hamas surrenders, disarms, and leaves Gaza—demands Hamas has rejected.
“We’ll work out peace with our Palestinian neighbors who don’t want to destroy us,” Netanyahu said. “But our security must remain in our hands.”
The conflict in Gaza has already claimed more than 57,000 Palestinian lives and caused significant destruction, drawing global criticism and increasing Israel’s international isolation. Trump has been pushing for a resolution and is expected to send Witkoff to Qatar for more ceasefire and hostage negotiations.
Trump and Netanyahu have grown closer in recent months, especially after their joint decision to attack Iran. But they haven’t always agreed. Earlier this year, Trump surprised Netanyahu by announcing U.S. talks with Iran during a visit, which temporarily halted Israeli military plans.
Now, with their military cooperation stronger than ever, Trump is pressuring Netanyahu to bring the Gaza war to an end. At the same time, Netanyahu must manage pressure from far-right members of his coalition who oppose ending the war.
Some observers believe Trump expects Netanyahu to comply, especially after showing strong U.S. support in the Iran strikes and even calling for Netanyahu’s corruption trial to be canceled.
“Trump thinks that Netanyahu owes him,” said Eytan Gilboa, an expert on U.S.-Israel relations. “And if Trump thinks the Gaza war needs to end, then Netanyahu may have to follow through.”
In summary, the recent U.S.-Israel strikes on Iran have deepened ties between Trump and Netanyahu and opened the door for possible peace talks with Iran. At the same time, the two leaders are now under pressure to move forward with a ceasefire in Gaza — a step that could shape the future of the region.