‘Fake news, complete nonsense’: Netanyahu rejects reports of ‘shouting match’ with Trump

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's office has dismissed reports of a heated telephone exchange with US President Donald Trump over the possibility of resuming military strikes against Iran, calling the allegations "Fake news, complete nonsense".

The denial followed reports by Israeli media outlets Ynet and Yedioth Ahronoth that the two leaders had a tense conversation over the weekend, with Netanyahu pressing for renewed military action against Tehran while Trump favoured giving diplomatic negotiations more time.

Citing Ynet, The Times of Israel reported that anonymous sources familiar with the conversation described it as particularly heated, with one source calling it a "shouting match from hell". However, a senior Israeli official confirmed that the call had taken place but insisted that it was "very much not a difficult conversation".

The reported disagreement comes amid growing differences over how Washington and Tel Aviv should approach the conflict with Iran. Netanyahu has repeatedly urged Trump to resume military strikes and pursue regime change in the Islamic Republic, while the US President has favoured maintaining economic pressure and exploring diplomatic options to secure concessions from Tehran.

Trump had indicated earlier in the week that further military strikes were not necessary at that stage. However, he reportedly said on Thursday that the United States does not "need a deal with Tehran".

Israel Defence Minister Says Netanyahu And Military Leadership Are United

Amid the reports of differences between the two leaders, Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz met IDF Chief of Staff Lieutenant General Eyal Zamir and other senior defence and security officials for an assessment of the situation.

Katz's office said decisions taken during the current transitional period of coalition talks were being handled responsibly and in coordination with the military.

"Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, I and the IDF chief of staff see eye to eye on the Iranian issue in all its aspects, and we will continue to work together and do whatever is necessary to ensure the security of the State of Israel and protect its citizens," Katz was quoted as saying by The Times of Israel.

His office further said the minister had stressed that "all decisions are made responsibly and in full cooperation between the political and military leadership", adding that "Israel's security is the central consideration".

The remarks came after Yashar party chairman Gadi Eisenkot, who currently holds the mandate to form a new government, cautioned Netanyahu against deploying security forces without an immediate threat. His warning followed reports that the caretaker Prime Minister had been pushing for renewed strikes on Iran despite objections from defence officials.

Netanyahu Holds Security Talks With Gadi Eisenkot

Meanwhile, Hebrew media reports cited by The Times of Israel said Netanyahu had begun a security briefing with Eisenkot. The Prime Minister's Office had not immediately confirmed the reports.

The latest developments come against the backdrop of reports that Netanyahu had been contacting Trump regularly to push for a resumption of military operations against Iran.

The Financial Times had earlier reported that Netanyahu was calling Trump daily to persuade him to launch an all-out military campaign against Tehran.

Netanyahu, Israel's longest-serving Prime Minister, is also facing uncertainty over his political future following his party's loss of seats in the general election held in October. The reported differences over Iran have added another layer of uncertainty to the political and security situation in Israel.

(With ANI inputs)