Trump-Netanyahu turns tense, reveals US-Israel divide on Iran: Report

US President Donald Trump and Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu engaged in a heated conversation on Tuesday that exposed sharp differences over how to proceed with the war of aggression against Iran, according to a report.

The tense exchange was reported by CNN, citing a US official. It came after Trump halted what was described as planned strikes on Iran at the request of some regional Arab countries.

Netanyahu made his disappointment clear during the hour-long call, telling Trump that delaying the expected attacks was a mistake and urging him to continue as planned, the US official said.

The Israeli prime minister, wanted since 2024 by the International Criminal Court (ICC) for war crimes in Gaza, has long advocated for military aggression against Iran.

"There is a strong desire in the upper echelons of the Israeli government for renewed military action," an Israeli source told CNN, adding mounting frustration that Trump is allowing diplomacy.

Trump wants to see if a deal can be reached, but Netanyahu was expecting something else, added the source.

Meanwhile, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesperson confirmed Wednesday that Tehran and Washington have continued exchanging messages through Pakistan based on Iran's initial 14-point proposal.

"We have received the American side's viewpoints and are currently reviewing them," spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said.

Pakistan's army chief Asim Munir is slated to travel to Tehran on Thursday as part of ongoing mediation efforts.

Pakistan has played a central role in seeking a diplomatic solution, including hosting talks between US Vice President JD Vance and Iranian parliament speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf in April.

The diplomatic push comes as the US State Department admitted in a government release in late April that Washington "is engaged in this conflict at the request of its Israeli ally"—a candid acknowledgment that directly contradicts Trump's repeated insistence that Israel had nothing to do with his decision to launch the war of aggression.

Israel dragged US into war against Iran, State Department confirms

The US State Department has admitted that Israel pushed Washington into a war of aggression against Iran.

US involvement was reportedly arranged following a February 11 meeting between Trump, Netanyahu, and officials in the White House Situation Room.

It was Netanyahu's direct influence and pressure campaign that thrust America into the aggression, despite US military commanders advising Trump that components of Netanyahu's plan were "farcical."

The war, which began February 28 with strikes that assassinated senior Iranian officials including Islamic Revolution Leader Ayatollah Seyyed Ali Khamenei, has cost American taxpayers more than $87 billion and sparked political rejection of Trump's MAGA ideology as the public grows disillusioned with the increasingly volatile president.

Trump claimed Wednesday he remains in control. "He'll do whatever I want him to do," he said of Netanyahu.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.co.uk