'Shouting match from hell': Trump, Netanyahu clash in explosive phone call over Iran war
A war that brought Washington and Tel Aviv together is now exposing a growing divide between their leaders.
US President Donald Trump wants to give diplomacy with Iran another chance, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is pushing for regime change in Tehran and renewed military action. The disagreement comes as Netanyahu faces another battle closer to home, with Israel's opposition moving to form a coalition government that could end his long hold on power.
According to a report by Israeli news outlet Ynet, citing sources familiar with the conversation, US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had a heated telephone exchange over the weekend over the next course of action against Iran.
One source described the conversation as a "shouting match from hell", highlighting growing differences between the two leaders over whether to resume military strikes against Tehran or pursue a diplomatic settlement.
Netanyahu's office rejected the account, calling it "fake news, complete nonsense", while a senior Israeli official denied that the conversation was confrontational.
The reported confrontation comes amid Netanyahu's efforts to persuade Trump to resume military operations against Iran. According to the Financial Times, citing a diplomat familiar with the discussions, the Israeli leader has been calling Trump daily to press for renewed strikes, even as officials in Washington and regional leaders seek to prevent another escalation.
Trump, however, has signalled that he sees no immediate need for further military action. In an interview with CBS' 60 Minutes, aired on November 8, the US president said he was not looking to escalate the conflict. "Well, I'm not looking to. I don't think there's any reason to," Trump said when asked about the possibility of renewed military action against Iran.
Netanyahu, on the other hand, has taken a considerably harder position, arguing that military strikes alone cannot permanently eliminate the threat posed by Tehran. The Israeli leader believes Iran could rebuild its nuclear capabilities under the existing leadership, making regime change essential to Israel's long-term security.
Speaking at the swearing-in of Israel's 26th Knesset on November 10, Netanyahu reiterated his demand for regime change in Iran, saying that military strikes alone would not permanently remove the nuclear threat.
"Iran is working to renew the nuclear threat. The only way to permanently remove this existential threat is by toppling the regime of the ayatollahs," Netanyahu said.
He also warned that Israel would face international pressure to accept a nuclear agreement that could allow Iran's current leadership to remain in power. Netanyahu further called for a national unity government in Israel, saying the country needed political unity to deal with growing security challenges.
The speech comes as Netanyahu faces an uncertain political future after the October 27 election left his Likud-led bloc with 53 seats, short of the 61 needed for a majority.
President Isaac Herzog has tasked opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot with forming the next government after 67 lawmakers backed his candidature. Eisenkot has 28 days, with a possible 14-day extension, to secure a coalition. If successful, Netanyahu will lose the prime minister's office and Likud will move into opposition.
US President Donald Trump wants to give diplomacy with Iran another chance, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is pushing for regime change in Tehran and renewed military action. The disagreement comes as Netanyahu faces another battle closer to home, with Israel's opposition moving to form a coalition government that could end his long hold on power.
According to a report by Israeli news outlet Ynet, citing sources familiar with the conversation, US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had a heated telephone exchange over the weekend over the next course of action against Iran.
One source described the conversation as a "shouting match from hell", highlighting growing differences between the two leaders over whether to resume military strikes against Tehran or pursue a diplomatic settlement.
Netanyahu's office rejected the account, calling it "fake news, complete nonsense", while a senior Israeli official denied that the conversation was confrontational.
The reported confrontation comes amid Netanyahu's efforts to persuade Trump to resume military operations against Iran. According to the Financial Times, citing a diplomat familiar with the discussions, the Israeli leader has been calling Trump daily to press for renewed strikes, even as officials in Washington and regional leaders seek to prevent another escalation.
Trump, however, has signalled that he sees no immediate need for further military action. In an interview with CBS' 60 Minutes, aired on November 8, the US president said he was not looking to escalate the conflict. "Well, I'm not looking to. I don't think there's any reason to," Trump said when asked about the possibility of renewed military action against Iran.
Netanyahu, on the other hand, has taken a considerably harder position, arguing that military strikes alone cannot permanently eliminate the threat posed by Tehran. The Israeli leader believes Iran could rebuild its nuclear capabilities under the existing leadership, making regime change essential to Israel's long-term security.
Speaking at the swearing-in of Israel's 26th Knesset on November 10, Netanyahu reiterated his demand for regime change in Iran, saying that military strikes alone would not permanently remove the nuclear threat.
"Iran is working to renew the nuclear threat. The only way to permanently remove this existential threat is by toppling the regime of the ayatollahs," Netanyahu said.
He also warned that Israel would face international pressure to accept a nuclear agreement that could allow Iran's current leadership to remain in power. Netanyahu further called for a national unity government in Israel, saying the country needed political unity to deal with growing security challenges.
The speech comes as Netanyahu faces an uncertain political future after the October 27 election left his Likud-led bloc with 53 seats, short of the 61 needed for a majority.
President Isaac Herzog has tasked opposition leader Gadi Eisenkot with forming the next government after 67 lawmakers backed his candidature. Eisenkot has 28 days, with a possible 14-day extension, to secure a coalition. If successful, Netanyahu will lose the prime minister's office and Likud will move into opposition.
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