Trump, Netanyahu reportedly differ over Arab-backed proposal to renew Iran talks

Netanyahu expressed skepticism about the initiative and favored continued US military pressure on Iran to weaken the regime.

By Vered Weiss, World Israel News

President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held what sources described as a difficult conversation Tuesday focused on efforts by Arab and Muslim mediators to advance a proposed framework aimed at preventing a renewed war between the United States and Iran and reopening negotiations with Tehran.

According to three sources familiar with the discussion cited by Channel 12, Trump briefed Netanyahu on a proposed “letter of intent” that mediators are attempting to secure between Washington and Tehran.

An American source familiar with the conversation said the document could lead to an end to the war and launch another 30 days of negotiations on issues including the Strait of Hormuz and Iran’s nuclear program.

Netanyahu expressed skepticism about the initiative and favored continued US military pressure on Iran to weaken the regime, according to two Israeli sources familiar with the call.

The sources told Channel 12 that Trump and Netanyahu disagreed over how to proceed on the Iranian issue.

An American source said Israel’s ambassador in Washington informed several members of Congress after the call that Netanyahu emerged from the conversation worried about the US-Iran contacts. A senior American source who also expressed concern over the negotiations told Channel 12: “Bibi’s speculations were on fire after this conversation with Trump.”

Asked Wednesday about his conversation with Netanyahu, Trump said: “Netanyahu will do whatever I tell him to do regarding Iran.”

The Prime Minister’s Office declined to comment. A spokeswoman for the Israeli Embassy denied that Ambassador Leiter told US lawmakers Netanyahu was worried after the call. The White House did not respond.

The discussions come amid mediation efforts involving Qatar, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Egypt.

According to two senior Arab officials and an Israeli source, Qatar presented both the United States and Iran with a revised proposal intended to end the war.

A fourth source said the proposal was based on a Pakistani draft that Qatar later modified. One Arab source said Qatari and Pakistani delegations recently traveled to Tehran to discuss the matter.

The initiative aims to secure Iranian concessions on the nuclear program and establish a framework for the gradual release of frozen Iranian assets abroad.