Phone call reveals Trump–Netanyahu clash over Iran war escalation
US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu were reportedly engaged in a tense telephone conversation on Tuesday, 19 May, as they discussed the future of the war against Iran. The two allied leaders were said to have disagreed, with Netanyahu urging further intensification of the war, while Trump insisted that a deal remained possible.
US media outlets, citing TRT World on Friday, 22 May 2026, said the tense exchange occurred a few days after Trump had told Netanyahu in a phone call on Sunday, 17 May, that he was prepared to carry out another strike against Iran.
However, Trump abruptly announced the cancellation of the planned US attack on Iran scheduled for Tuesday, local time, saying he was acting in response to objections raised by Gulf regional leaders, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates.
In the one-hour call on Tuesday, according to US and Israeli officials, Netanyahu told Trump that delaying the strike would be a mistake and urged the president to proceed with military action as originally planned.
“The difference is clear; Trump wants to see if a deal can be reached, but Netanyahu expects something else,” said an unnamed Israeli official speaking to CNN.
Axios was the first to report the tense telephone conversation.
On Wednesday, 20 May, Trump claimed that negotiations between the US and Iran had reached an advanced stage. “We are at the final stage of negotiations with Iran. We will see what happens,” he told reporters.
“We will reach a deal or we will take some tougher actions. But hopefully that will not be necessary,” Trump added.
Netanyahu, who has consistently advocated a far more aggressive stance against Tehran, grew increasingly frustrated with Trump’s delays, which he argues only strengthens Iran’s position.
The frustration within Netanyahu’s inner circle, according to another Israeli official cited by CNN, was mounting. Senior Tel Aviv officials were said to be pressing hard for a new strike and voicing anger at what they described as Tehran’s diplomatic delays.
This is not the first time disagreements have occurred between Trump and Netanyahu regarding the war against Iran. US officials have previously acknowledged that the two leaders do not always share the same objectives regarding Tehran.
When asked about his phone call with Netanyahu, Trump asserted his control over the situation: “He will do whatever I want,” Trump said, referring to Netanyahu.