Trump, Netanyahu in heated call over fresh Iran strikes

US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have reportedly clashed during a tense telephone conversation over whether to resume military strikes against Iran, exposing growing differences between Washington and Tel Aviv over the next phase of the conflict.

According to Israeli newspaper Yedioth Ahronoth, citing sources familiar with the matter, the two leaders had a heated exchange over the weekend as Netanyahu pushed for renewed military action against Tehran.

One source reportedly described the conversation as extremely bitter, claiming it involved intense shouting and what was characterised as a “hell-like” exchange.

Netanyahu’s office, however, rejected reports of a serious disagreement, describing claims of a hostile conversation as baseless. A senior Israeli official confirmed that the two leaders had spoken but insisted that the discussion was neither aggressive nor bitter.

The reported disagreement comes as Netanyahu continues urging Washington to consider restarting military operations against Iran. The Financial Times previously reported that the Israeli prime minister had been contacting Trump daily to advocate renewed attacks.

However, Washington appears increasingly interested in pursuing a diplomatic solution, particularly amid opposition from Gulf and Muslim countries concerned about another escalation in the region.

Trump said on Monday that key Gulf allies, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Bahrain and Kuwait, strongly opposed fresh military action against Iran.

He also pointed to positive developments in efforts to resolve the conflict, suggesting that the possibility of another large-scale American military campaign was becoming less likely.

US Secretary of State Marco Rubio reinforced that position on Tuesday, saying Washington currently saw no need to resume large-scale military operations against Tehran.

Rubio said economic sanctions were achieving their intended objectives and stressed that the United States would continue applying financial pressure on Iran. However, he warned that American forces remained prepared to respond if Tehran crossed Washington’s stated red lines.

Meanwhile, Qatari mediators said on Tuesday they had received initial positive responses from both Washington and Tehran regarding diplomatic efforts. Despite these encouraging signals, uncertainty remains over whether negotiations can produce a comprehensive agreement.

The United States and Israel launched joint military operations against Iran on February 28. Although subsequent diplomatic contacts and a framework memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran raised hopes of progress, negotiations have yet to deliver a comprehensive peace agreement.

The latest reported tensions between Trump and Netanyahu highlight the growing divide over whether military pressure or diplomacy offers the best path forward.