The feud between US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has intensified after a phone call conversation ended in heated debate over how to confront Iran over its nuclear programme, reports citing sources said on Tuesday.
The alleged heated conversation has cast doubt over previous claims that both leaders have agreed on common terms aimed at preventing Tehran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.
Reports said the conversation was marked by sharp disagreements, with Trump reportedly telling Netanyahu, "I want a diplomatic solution with the Iranians. I believe in my ability to make a good deal.” He also reportedly emphasised his interest in an agreement that would serve the interests of both sides.
Earlier reports suggested that both Trump and Netanyahu engaged in constructive talks over Iran’s nuclear deal issue. However, Netanyahu’s office denied having a noticeable disagreement between the two leaders.
While Trump is claiming that both sides have made substantial progress in the talks, the Iranian foreign ministry said the Islamic Republic will not consider temporarily halting the enrichment programme. They said on Monday that there has been no official confirmation from Tehran regarding the next round of nuclear talks.
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Meanwhile, US Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem, a Trump loyalist who formerly was governor of South Dakota, described her meeting with Netanyahu in Jerusalem as “very candid.” “The president will never accept a nuclear-capable Iran. He will never accept them having nuclear weapons and building the capacity to do that,” she said in response.
“The intelligence information that Israel has and shares with the United States, and which we also have and are using for those conversations, is critically important. I think the message to the American people is that we have a president who wants peace but who will not tolerate a nuclear Iran capability in the future.”
“But he wants this prime minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, to be on the same page with him.” She said, “Netanyahu also needs America, and he knows he needs America and needs our president to be his ally and to work together.
We are stronger when we are united, and that is something that we will deal with together, but this conversation needs to be honest, frank, but we need to go forward, recognising that Iran will never have the capability to produce nuclear weapons.”
So far, there has been no solid progress being reported from either side, and it seems unlikely that both sides could agree on common terms in the near future.
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