President Donald Trump repeatedly clashed with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as he tried to end the war with Iran and push a diplomatic settlement, according to a Wall Street Journal report. In recent calls, Trump pressed Netanyahu over Israeli strikes in Lebanon, asking, “Why are you blowing up buildings?” and telling him, “Stop blowing up buildings.” In another conversation, Trump complained the war’s global economic slowdown could saddle him with a “Great Depression” era legacy.
The dispute intensified after Trump pursued a memorandum of understanding with Tehran that would reopen the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for the United States ending its blockade and allowing Iran to resume oil sales. Israeli officials were surprised by the Thursday ceasefire announcement and had expected Trump to favor military strikes. After Netanyahu asked for a meeting, Americans showed senior Israeli officials a draft of the deal, but Israel had not been involved in shaping it.
Netanyahu challenged Trump on how any Iranian pledge could be verified, especially on stopping nuclear weapons production, and argued Iran has a long record of breaking agreements. Trump told aides that “nobody can handle Netanyahu” and that he wanted to “bomb everybody,” though he also told the Journal, “I think he’s great, but sometimes he goes too far.” A senior administration official said Trump was growing tired of repeated Israeli requests for more military action. A White House source also said some officials wondered whether Netanyahu wanted to prolong the Iran war for political gain.
The friction extended to Lebanon, where Trump was most frustrated by continued Israeli bombing despite a ceasefire. He brought Israeli and Lebanese officials into the Oval Office to try to broker an agreement, and after seeing images of Christians hurt in Lebanon, he escalated his criticism. In one recent Lebanon call, he called Netanyahu “crazy” and said he would be in jail without his support. Trump later said the countries have “very clear boundaries,” and added, “He calls us the big one, and himself the little one,” in what the paper described as a public slight.
The report says Trump and Netanyahu have met at least seven times in this term and speak often, but the relationship has turned more mistrustful. Early in the war, Trump was enthusiastic about Israeli gains and discussed possible targets; later he questioned Israeli assessments and rejected some strike plans. Netanyahu still hopes Trump can be persuaded back toward military action, but for now Trump appears determined to end the war and move ahead with a deal, even if that means open confrontation with Netanyahu.
