Netanyahu, Trump in heated spat over Iran nuclear talks: report

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump engaged in a heated phone call last week over Iran’s nuclear programme and the negotiations between Washington and Tehran to reach a deal on the contentious issue.

The phone call between Netanyahu, wanted by the International Criminal Court (ICC) over alleged war crimes in Gaza, and Trump was reportedly tense as both sides fell into disagreement over how to confront Iran.

The president's relationship with Netanyahu has been rocky in recent years, and the past weeks have seen mounting tensions between the two over Iran, Trump sidelining Israel during his Gulf tour, Israel's ongoing war and blockade of Gaza, and direct US talks with Hamas.

According to Israel's Channel 12 news, Trump  told Netanyahu during their phone call that he wanted "a diplomatic solution with the Iranians."

"I believe in my ability to make a good deal," he said, stressing that a possible arrangement would serve the interests of both sides.

The alleged heated exchange contradicts earlier claims that said both sides were in mutual understanding over how to deal with Iran.

In comments to Channel 12, Netanyahu’s office denied reports of a tense discussion between the prime minister and Trump.

US and Iranian delegations have held five rounds of Oman-mediated talks in Muscat and Rome, with a sixth round yet to be announced. While both sides have touted some progress, Iran has set limits on how far it's willing to make concessions to reach a deal.

Iran has said its nuclear programme was a red line and has refused to suspend uranium enrichment, even temporarily, while the US and Israel want the programme completely dismantled.

Trump has said he favours an agreement with Iran but warned that he take powerful military action against the country if a deal is not reached, telling Iran’s leaders that they had limited time to reach an agreement.

Recent reports said Israel was prepping an attack on Iran's nuclear facilities.

Iran has warned it would hit back if it is attacked, and its foreign minister warned that an aggression on his country could ignite the whole region.

While Iran has stressed its nuclear programme is solely for peaceful purposes, the US, Israel and some of their Western allies have voiced concerns that it could be militarised and trigger a regional nuclear arms race.

Israel is believed to possess nuclear warheads but has never admitted to this.

On Monday, US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem said she had a "very candid conversation" with Netanyahu about Washington's negotiations with Iran.

"President Trump specifically sent me here to have a conversation with the prime minister about how those negotiations are going and how important it is that we stay united and let this process play out," Noem said during an interview with Fox News.

On X, Noem said she was instructed by Trump to visit Israel following a shooting in Washington which killed two Israeli diplomats.

Footage showed Noem visiting the Western Wall in Jerusalem and an area near the Gaza border where she hailed the Israeli army for its offensive.

According to the Israeli prime minister’s X page, Noem "expressed unwavering support for the Prime Minister and the State of Israel".

"[She] also expressed great appreciation for the Prime Minister's policy of building a fence along the Egyptian border and for his conduct of the war."

Israel’s war on Gaza has killed over 53,900 people since the start of the war in October 2023. Thousands more are believed to be buried beneath the rubble.

A renewed military offensive has forcibly displaced almost 180,000 people in just 10 days through to 25 May, the International Organization for Migration (IOM) said on Tuesday.

Israel's nearly three-month siege has also resulted in essential food and medical supplies running out, and civilians starving to death.