Who’s calling the shots? Netanyahu and Trump at odds over their war

Recent Israeli strikes on Lebanon and Iran reveal a divergence in objectives between US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, despite their initial alignment in initiating conflict. Trump had publicly cautioned Israel against striking Beirut during its conflict with Iran-backed Hezbollah. Following an Israeli strike on Beirut, Iran retaliated with ballistic missiles targeting Israel, a first since an April ceasefire. Subsequently, Israel conducted strikes against Iran, with whom Trump has been engaged in high-stakes negotiations. This escalation highlights differing strategies and desired outcomes between the two leaders regarding the ongoing conflict.

Iran has warned that a ceasefire with the US could end and attacks could resume if Israel continues to strike Lebanon. This comes after Israel hit an alleged Hezbollah site in southern Beirut, prompting Iran to launch missiles at Israel, which then retaliated. Tensions are high due to Israeli advances in southern Lebanon and the Lebanese government's desire for exclusive control over weapons, clashing with Iran's backing of Hezbollah. Lebanese President Aoun criticized Iran for using Lebanon as a bargaining chip, while Iran's Foreign Minister suggested Israel was the real foe. A conditional ceasefire, negotiated by Washington and excluding Hezbollah, aims for Lebanese army control in southern Lebanon. Iran insists any peace deal with the US must include an end to Israel's actions in Lebanon.

Israel and Iran engaged in retaliatory strikes over the weekend, with Israel bombing sites in Iran after Iran fired missiles at Israel. This escalation occurred despite US President Donald Trump's reported call to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to hold fire, highlighting regional instability and testing Trump's influence. Iran's actions aimed to link the US-Iran conflict with the Israel-Hezbollah conflict and gauge US support for Israeli counterattacks. While Trump publicly stated he would prevent retaliation, Israel proceeded with strikes, suggesting tacit US approval or a "blinking yellow light" from Washington. Both sides signaled the end of this exchange, with Trump continuing diplomatic efforts with Tehran.

U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who initially acted in unison regarding the war in the Middle East, now have diverging objectives. Trump wants to de-escalate the conflict to ease gas prices and faces upcoming elections, while Netanyahu aims to eliminate Hezbollah's threat and demonstrate victory, also facing elections. Recent Israeli strikes on Lebanon and Iran have highlighted these differences, with Trump publicly warning against striking Beirut, which led to Iranian missile retaliation and subsequent Israeli strikes on Iran. Despite these public disagreements, both leaders have downplayed the rifts, with Netanyahu asserting Israel's right to self-defense and Trump suggesting occasional, uncoordinated actions. The ongoing tensions, particularly concerning Lebanon, underscore the complex political considerations driving their differing strategies.

Iran's recent large-scale military exchanges with Israel have broadened the conflict, drawing Yemen's Houthis back in and emboldening some in Tehran to advocate for an end to ceasefire talks with the US. These hardliners, potentially influenced by the Strait of Hormuz blockade, see this as a "point of no return." However, a minority faction believes Iran can leverage tensions between Israel and the US to accelerate a deal, especially given perceived US diplomatic and military weakness. Iran's foreign ministry spokesperson insists dialogue with the US continues, though he also suggests Israel may be trying to sabotage these talks. Iran's demands include a ceasefire in Lebanon, unfreezing assets, and managing the Strait of Hormuz, with discussions on its nuclear program to follow.

Iran launched missiles and drones at Israel in response to an Israeli strike on a Hezbollah-linked building in Beirut. This marked a shift from Iran's usual justification of direct attacks as retaliation for actions against its own territory or interests. The article suggests Iran's leadership felt the time was right to take this step, despite the risks of renewed Israeli military action and jeopardizing peace negotiations. This decision may stem from Iran's assessment of its own resilience after surviving months of conflict, including Israeli and American military pressure, economic sanctions, and a US naval blockade. The state and its security apparatus remain intact, and no mass uprising occurred, potentially altering Tehran's calculations.

Iran has warned that Israeli strikes on Hezbollah in Lebanon jeopardize its ceasefire agreement with the United States. This warning comes after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ordered attacks on Beirut's southern suburbs in retaliation for Hezbollah rocket and drone attacks on northern Israel. Iran's Foreign Minister stated that the US agreement was a ceasefire on all fronts, including Lebanon, and any violation would constitute a breach of the entire truce. Iran's Tasnim news agency reported that Tehran might suspend indirect negotiations with the US and could "activate other fronts." While Iranian authorities have not publicly confirmed the Tasnim report, state television indicated a high probability of the ceasefire ending if Israel continues its offensive in Lebanon. The US has attempted to decouple events in Lebanon from its negotiations with Iran.

Iranian officials have warned that Israel's escalating attacks in Lebanon and Gaza threaten to derail ongoing ceasefire negotiations with the United States. Iran insists that any ceasefire must be "on all fronts," including Lebanon, and views Israeli actions as a violation of the existing agreement. Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf stated that the naval blockade and Israeli actions in Lebanon are evidence of US noncompliance. These warnings come as Israel deepens its invasion of southern Lebanon and threatens Beirut, though US President Donald Trump claimed to have received assurances that troops would not advance on the city and that Hezbollah agreed to a halt in shooting. Iran is reportedly demanding an immediate cessation of Israeli operations in Gaza and Lebanon and a complete withdrawal from occupied areas before resuming talks.

According to Axios, President Trump reportedly shouted and cursed at Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu during a phone call on Monday. The confrontation occurred after Israel threatened to resume airstrikes on Beirut's southern suburbs targeting Hezbollah, following drone strikes into Israel. Trump allegedly expressed anger, stating Netanyahu was "crazy" and that Israel was being hated because of these actions. This call followed Iran's announcement that it would suspend peace talks with the US over Israel's campaign in southern Lebanon. However, Israeli media, specifically Channel 12, contested the report, with its chief political analyst stating Trump did not personally attack Netanyahu and that an agreement was reached for Israel to refrain from attacking Beirut suburbs if Hezbollah ceased its attacks.

The relationship between Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu is reportedly under strain due to disagreements over Iran. According to Axios and ABC News, Trump called Netanyahu "crazy" during a phone call where he expressed concern that Israel's threats to bomb Beirut would jeopardize talks with Tehran. This incident highlights the increasingly fragile ties between the two leaders, who are both facing political pressure. Trump is reportedly seeking an exit from the Iran war ahead of midterm elections, while Netanyahu faces potential coalition collapse and criticism for yielding to Trump on security matters after abandoning plans to attack Beirut.

Benjamin Netanyahu is presented as an obstacle to a potential peace deal between the United States and Iran, particularly concerning the Strait of Hormuz. Israel's military operations in Lebanon have become a point of contention, straining the alliance between President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu. Netanyahu faces domestic pressure due to upcoming elections and a pending corruption trial, needing to demonstrate results from his campaigns against Hamas, Hezbollah, and Iran. Threats of Israeli strikes on Beirut led Iran to pause negotiations with the US, prompting a reportedly tense call between Trump and Netanyahu. While Trump later downplayed the incident, Netanyahu's actions are seen as driven by his need to project strength for electoral survival, potentially complicating US diplomatic efforts.

U.S. President Donald Trump announced that Israel and Hezbollah have agreed to a halt in fighting following indirect talks. Trump stated he spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and, through intermediaries, with Hezbollah. According to Lebanon's embassy in Washington, Hezbollah agreed to stop attacks on Israel in exchange for Israel ceasing strikes on Beirut and its southern suburbs. Netanyahu confirmed discussions with Trump but indicated Israel would proceed with strikes on Beirut if Hezbollah attacks continue. This development comes amid ongoing Israeli operations in southern Lebanon, which have resulted in significant casualties and displacement. While Hezbollah has expressed support for a full ceasefire, Israel has issued new displacement orders for southern Beirut suburbs and continued artillery fire in southern Lebanon.

Israel and Lebanon have agreed to a ceasefire to end hostilities, announced by the Trump administration. This agreement is contingent on Hezbollah ceasing all fire and evacuating its operatives from southern Lebanon. The US stated this ceasefire is a step towards overcoming barriers to a broader deal with Iran. The two nations also agreed to establish "pilot zones" under exclusive Lebanese armed forces control. Hezbollah, not a party to the talks, stated it would not accept a partial ceasefire. This development follows continued cross-border attacks and comes as the US seeks to resolve the Iran conflict, which is impacting global commerce and US midterm election prospects.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu downplayed reports of a rift with US President Donald Trump, despite Trump confirming he recently criticized Netanyahu for his actions in Lebanon. Netanyahu stated their relationship remains strong, characterizing disagreements as tactical, similar to those in families, and emphasized their shared goal of disarming Hezbollah. Trump acknowledged he had "harsh words" for Netanyahu over Israel's escalation in Lebanon, which risked derailing US-Iran talks, but also expressed his liking for the Israeli leader. The conflict in southern Lebanon has continued despite Trump's claim that both sides agreed to a ceasefire. Netanyahu asserted that he and Trump share the objective of achieving peace with Lebanon by disarming Hezbollah.