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President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly had a tense phone call last week over how to confront Iran’s nuclear program.
Some shit you should know before you read: If you’re unaware, Israel has been pushing the United States to take a more aggressive stance toward Iran’s nuclear program, including preparing for potential joint strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. Israeli defense and intelligence officials reportedly believe the window for a successful military operation is narrowing and have been actively laying the groundwork for rapid, coordinated strikes should diplomacy fail. According to Axios, Israel has conveyed to Washington that it is ready to act and may strike unilaterally if necessary, although it prefers US support in such an operation. Previously, President Trump warned that the US would take military action against Iran if it refused to negotiate a new nuclear deal and began ramping up uranium enrichment, an ultimatum followed by the deployment of a shitload of US military assets, including bombers, naval strike groups, and missile defense systems, to the region. These moves, coupled with Trump’s public statements, led many to believe that a US strike on Iran was imminent. However, instead of escalating to conflict, Trump’s administration has since pivoted toward diplomacy, engaging Iran in multiple rounds of talks. Still, the negotiations have been rocky, with setbacks and mutual distrust, with both sides remaining far apart on key issues like uranium enrichment and sanctions relief. Despite some reports of “real progress,” the process has been slow, and Iranian officials continue to reject US demands to suspend enrichment entirely.
What’s going on now: First reported by Channel 12 and later corroborated by Axios, the phone call between President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu last Thursday was marked by noticeable tension and a disagreement over how to address Iran’s nuclear ambitions. According to sources familiar with the discussion, Trump told Netanyahu that he was pursuing a diplomatic solution and did not want any Israeli actions, such as a preemptive military strike, that might derail the ongoing US-Iran nuclear negotiations.
Trump reportedly said, “I believe in my ability to make a good deal,” signaling his preference for negotiation over escalation. Despite this, Netanyahu’s office quickly issued a statement denying any tension, stating that the two leaders were aligned in their shared goal of preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
Adding to the mix, US Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem visited Jerusalem shortly after the call to personally deliver Trump’s message. Speaking to Fox News, Noem described her meeting with Netanyahu as “very candid and direct,” and emphasized that Trump had sent her to reinforce the need for unity between the two nations as nuclear talks progress. She made clear that while the US remains firmly committed to Israel’s security, it is also intent on giving diplomacy a real chance.
According to Noem, Trump does not plan to let the negotiations drag on for weeks or months and expects clarity within days. She urged Netanyahu to align more closely with Trump’s approach and avoid actions that could sabotage a potential deal.
