US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a tense phone call on Tuesday regarding ceasefire negotiations and a potential agreement with Iran, according to a report by Axios.
As the US outlet notes, the two leaders reportedly had a sharp disagreement over how to approach Tehran in the coming period, with one source describing the Israeli prime minister as “furious.”
According to the report, Trump contacted Netanyahu on Tuesday to inform him that mediators are working on a “letter of intent” aimed at ending the war and launching a month of negotiations.
“Bibi was furious after the call”
The discussions are expected to include issues such as Iran’s nuclear programme, as well as the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most critical oil shipping routes.
Two Israeli sources cited by Axios said the leaders clearly disagreed on how Iran should be handled going forward. A US source familiar with the call said that “Bibi was furious after the call”, describing the tense atmosphere.
The report notes that Netanyahu has consistently expressed concern throughout all phases of the negotiations. “Bibi is always concerned,” one source said.
New US proposal to Iran
The revelations come as the United States has submitted a new proposal to Iran through Pakistani mediators. Sources close to the Iranian negotiating team told the semi‑official Tasnim news agency that Tehran is reviewing the document, although no final decision has been made.
On Wednesday, Trump told reporters that US‑Iran relations are “right on the edge” between a return to war and reaching an agreement.
“If we don’t get the right answer, that could happen very quickly. We haven’t received the right answer. The answers have to be 100% satisfactory,” the US president said, adding that negotiations would be given “a few more days.”
Revised peace memorandum
According to Axios, Qatar and Pakistan have drafted a revised peace memorandum aimed at bridging differences between the US and Iran.
Tehran confirmed on Wednesday that talks are ongoing, while Pakistan’s Interior Minister has returned to the Iranian capital for the second time in a week to assist in the negotiations.
An Arab official speaking to Axios said the aim of the “letter of intent” is to secure more specific commitments from Iran regarding its nuclear programme, as well as clearer guarantees from the United States on the release of frozen Iranian funds.
Calls for de‑escalation
“As we have stated before, Qatar has supported and continues to support mediation efforts led by Pakistan. We consistently support de‑escalation for the benefit of the region and its peoples,” a Qatari diplomat told Axios.
These developments follow Trump’s remark that Netanyahu “will do whatever I ask” regarding Iran, while noting that the two men maintain a good relationship.
“We need to open the Strait of Hormuz and that will happen immediately. We will give this process a chance. I am not in a rush,” Trump added, referring to the negotiations.
Source: protothema.gr
