Trump, Netanyahu Clash Over Iran Negotiations in “Difficult” Call – Axios
President Trump held a lengthy and “difficult” call Tuesday evening with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Axios reports.
Trump reportedly told Netanyahu that mediators were working on a “letter of intent” the U.S. and Iran would sign to formally end the war and begin a 30 day negotiation period on issues including Iran’s nuclear program and the opening of the Strait of Hormuz, according to a U.S. source briefed on the call.
Two Israeli sources said the two leaders disagreed over the path forward, while the U.S. source said “Bibi’s hair was on fire after the call.”
Netanyahu is reportedly highly skeptical about the negotiations and wants to resume the war to further degrade Iran’s military capabilities and weaken the regime by destroying its critical infrastructure.
The source said Israel’s ambassador to Washington told U.S. lawmakers Netanyahu was concerned about the call. An embassy spokesperson denied that characterization, saying “the ambassador does not comment on private conversations.”
Two sources noted Netanyahu has been highly worried at earlier stages of the negotiations, even as deals failed to materialize. “Bibi is always concerned,” one source said.
An Israeli source said Netanyahu wants to visit Washington in the coming weeks for a meeting with Trump.
