Pakistan, June 9 -- The latest exchange of fire between Israel and Iran has opened a new debate in Washington, not only about Tehran's next move, but about whether US President Donald Trump can still restrain the ally most central to his Middle East policy.

The immediate crisis appeared to ease on Monday after Iran and Israel both indicated they had halted attacks following Trump's public appeal that the two sides "stop shooting".

By Monday, Trump was no longer merely urging restraint. He wrote on Truth Social that Israel and Iran were looking for an "immediate CEASEFIRE", that final peace negotiations were proceeding, and that the blockade on Iran would remain "in full force" until a final deal was reached. But the 24-hour confrontatio...