Different stances: Trump–Netanyahu clash over Iran war

The rift in approach between US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu came to light. The two allied leaders were reported to have engaged in a tense telephone conversation about continuing the war against Iran. Trump is said to still leave room for negotiation with Tehran. In contrast, Netanyahu urged that military action against Iran be intensified. US media reports, including TRT World, said the tense call took place on Tuesday, 19 May 2026. The moment occurred a few days after Trump told Netanyahu in a telephone call on Sunday, 17 May, that he was ready to launch a new attack on Iran. However, Trump abruptly announced the cancellation of the assault scheduled for 19 May 2026, citing requests from leaders of major Gulf states in the region, such as Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. According to US and Israeli officials, in the one-hour call on Tuesday, 19 May, Netanyahu judged the decision to delay the attack as a mistake and urged the president to proceed with military action as initially planned. “The difference is clear: Trump wants to see if a deal can be reached, but Netanyahu expects something else,” said an Israeli official who insisted on anonymity, reported by detikNews. Axios was the first to report the tense telephone exchange. The following day, on Wednesday, 20 May, Trump claimed negotiations with Iran had entered an endgame. “We are in the endgame of negotiations with Iran. Let us see what happens,” he told journalists. “We will reach a deal or we will do a few things that are a bit harsh. But hopefully that will not happen,” said Trump. This stance reportedly frustrated Netanyahu’s camp, with the Israeli leader—who has long pressed for a more aggressive military approach—viewing the delay as strengthening Iran’s position. Another Israeli official quoted by CNN said frustration within Netanyahu’s inner circle was growing, with senior Tel Aviv officials pressing hard for a new strike and lamenting what they termed Tehran’s diplomatic delay. The Trump-Netanyahu clash over the Iran war is not the first; US officials had previously acknowledged that the two leaders do not always share the same aims regarding Tehran. When asked about his phone conversation with Netanyahu, Trump asserted that he remains in control of the situation. “He will do whatever I want,” Trump insisted, referring to Netanyahu.