U.S. and Israel Clash Over 'Iran Solution'... Trump Says 'Deal,' Netanyahu Says 'Airstrikes'

[Financial News, New York = Lee Byung-chul]U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have clashed head-on over talks to end the war with Iran. Trump is seeking to end the conflict through a diplomatic agreement, while Netanyahu is reportedly insisting on a hard-line response and calling for renewed strikes on Iran after the ceasefire.
The Wall Street Journal (WSJ) reported on the 20th local time, citing people familiar with the matter, that Trump and Netanyahu held an intense phone call the previous night over Iran. Netanyahu reportedly expressed deep skepticism about the negotiations, saying Iran would not honor any agreement to dismantle its nuclear program. Trump, meanwhile, is said to have stood firm on continuing to pursue a diplomatic solution.
Israel has long argued that Iran will not carry out its pledge to halt nuclear development. Netanyahu reportedly repeated those concerns in both this call and an earlier call on Sunday. Trump, however, reaffirmed his position, saying, "I will keep pushing for a deal that ensures Iran never gets nuclear weapons." He also warned that Iran could face new airstrikes if it does not show greater flexibility in the negotiations.
Trump told reporters later in the day that his call with Netanyahu had gone "well." He said, "Netanyahu will do whatever I want," and added, "Talks between the United States and Iran are in the final stage." He continued, "If the deal falls through, we could go back to war. Some rough things could happen, but I hope that does not happen."
The call underscores the gap between the United States and Israel over how to end the war. Trump wants to wrap up the conflict early, as it is unpopular at home and economically burdensome. Israel, by contrast, is said to want a large-scale resumption of airstrikes, even beyond the level seen before the ceasefire.
Officials in the Middle East said there is still a chance that the United States and Israel could resume attacks on Iran within days or weeks. Trump held a meeting this week with his national security team to discuss options for responding to Iran. Inside the administration, there is growing belief that economic pressure is already dealing a significant blow to Iran.
Last-minute diplomacy is also continuing. Mediators including Pakistan are maintaining high-level contacts to prevent further airstrikes on Iran, but both the United States and Iran are reportedly sticking to hard-line positions on the nuclear issue, control of the Strait of Hormuz, and sanctions relief. Some are also raising the possibility of a temporary agreement in the form of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), which would leave the core issues for later talks.
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pride@fnnews.com Lee Byung-chul Reporter