The American CNN network revealed the escalation of tension between US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, against the backdrop of the growing disagreement between the two sides regarding how to deal with Iran, amid a clear discrepancy between the diplomatic path that Washington is pushing towards and the Israeli desire to resume military action.
The network quoted an American official as saying that a “tense” phone call took place on Tuesday between Trump and Netanyahu, after the US president informed the latter during a previous call on Sunday that he was inclined to carry out new attacks against Iran at the beginning of this week.
According to the sources, the potential military operation was called “Sledgehammer,” before Trump later announced the suspension of the strikes that were scheduled for Tuesday, in response to pressure and requests from Gulf allies, including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE.
The information indicated that the Gulf states intensified their contacts with the White House and Pakistani mediators with the aim of supporting the diplomatic track with Tehran and preventing a slide towards a broader confrontation in the region.
Speaking to reporters on Wednesday, Trump confirmed that the negotiations with Iran had reached their “final stages,” adding: “We will see what happens. Either we will reach an agreement, or we will have to take measures that may be a little harsh.”
On the other hand, Netanyahu expressed his dissatisfaction with the decision to postpone the strikes, considering that this gives Tehran more time and is in its interest.
According to American officials and Israeli sources, Netanyahu stressed during the hour-long call on Tuesday that retreating from carrying out the attacks was a “mistake,” and the military plan should have proceeded as planned.
An informed Israeli source confirmed that Netanyahu exerted direct pressure on Trump to resume military operations, at a time when the US President is seeking to give the negotiations an additional opportunity.
Axios reported the details of the tense contact first, while other Israeli sources confirmed to CNN that the state of frustration is not limited to Netanyahu, but rather includes prominent officials within the Israeli government who are strongly pushing for the resumption of the war.
The sources added that the Israeli leaders consider that Trump’s continued granting of “Iranian diplomatic procrastination” more time harms Israeli goals.
However, the dispute between Washington and Tel Aviv over Iran is not new, as American officials have previously acknowledged the existence of a difference in goals between the two parties regarding the war.
When Trump was asked on Wednesday about what happened in his call with Netanyahu, he hinted that he was the party that determined the course of matters, saying: “I will do what I want from him.”
While Netanyahu continues to press for military escalation, Trump insists on giving diplomacy one last chance, considering that the situation with Iran is “on the brink of the abyss,” and that extending the negotiations for a few days may prevent more casualties.
On the other hand, the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs confirmed the continued exchange of messages with Washington through Pakistani intermediaries, while fundamental differences still exist, especially regarding the Iranian nuclear program and frozen Iranian assets.
Although the negotiating track continues, Trump again stressed that the military option is still on the table, saying: “If we don’t get the right answers, things will develop very quickly.”
