Tensions escalated between Trump, Netanyahu after Israeli violations
2 Min Read
US President Donald Trump stopped a planned Israeli strike on 20 Iranian targets following a ceasefire breach, demanding restraint in a heated call with Netanyahu.
-
US President Donald Trump, left, gestures as "Israel's" Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu leaves the West Wing of the White House, on April 7, 2025, in Washington. (AP Photo/Mark Schiefelbein)
As Israeli fighter jets entered Iranian airspace, minutes from launching strikes on 20 targets, a tense phone call took place between Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump, Israeli media said.
According to a source cited by The Jerusalem Post on Wednesday, Trump raised his voice at Netanyahu during the call, firmly demanding: "Stop the attack." The source noted that Netanyahu managed to say little, repeatedly expressing gratitude to the US President.
The conversation was described as tense, with Trump treating the ceasefire as a personal achievement, making it clear that "no one, absolutely no one, would undermine it."
Ultimately, the Israeli Air Force received orders to abort the broader operation. Instead, as a compromise, a radar station near Tehran was targeted, far from the initially planned locations, according to The Jerusalem Post.
On that note, Trump posted on Truth Social, saying, "Israel. Do not drop those bombs. If you do it it is a major violation. Bring your pilots home, now!" He also called on "Israel" before leaving the United States for a NATO summit in the Hague.
Before boarding his flight, Trump told reporters he was "not happy" with either side for breaking the ceasefire, though he singled out "Israel" for particular criticism, arguing its massive retaliatory strikes were disproportionate to what might have been an accidental missile launch. As he was leaving the White House, he stated, "I've got to get Israel to calm down now."
Adding to his criticism, Trump lamented that Iran and "Israel" had been fighting "so long and so hard that they don't know what the **** they're doing," before abruptly turning away from the cameras and striding toward his waiting helicopter.
Meanwhile, Doha is playing a key role in reviving nuclear negotiations between the US and Iran, while Qatari officials, alongside Trump’s envoy Avi Berkowitz Witkoff, held extensive discussions on Tuesday evening, according to the report.
Iran had reiterated its willingness to reenter talks with the US, contingent on the halting of Israeli attacks.
