Feud with Netanyahu: Trump's 'Hand-Washing Gimmick' in the War Against Iran?

Tensions between Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have dominated international news recently. The rift is inseparable from Israel’s continued military aggression. In one phone call, Trump reportedly berated Netanyahu as ‘crazy’ for launching a massive assault on Lebanon that drew international condemnation. Most recently, Trump asked Netanyahu not to proceed with retaliatory strikes against Iran, warning Israel would become further isolated. One reason Trump is reluctant to continue the war with Iran is his belief that a deal to end the war is imminent. He is confident this agreement will cement America’s total victory over Iran. ‘It will be a total victory. It will happen very soon, and oil prices will plummet,’ he said on Monday (8/6/2026). Yet, given the current closeness of US-Israel relations, it seems odd if Trump truly wanted to fall out with Netanyahu. Moreover, both were the masterminds behind the aggression against Iran on 28 February. Trump legitimised the attack, which killed thousands of people, with various pretexts, from removing a terror regime to halting Iran’s ability to make nuclear weapons. For this reason, the anger is believed not to have distanced their relationship or made it appear as if the US were blameless for the military aggression. Trump clearly ordered the strike on Iran without considering the risks or how to end it.