Trump, Netanyahu Discuss Iran, Gaza Aid Push

US President Donald Trump said Monday that he had a phone conversation with Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu about Iran, describing the exchange as productive and stressing that his goal is to “avoid death and destruction.”

At an economic event at the White House, Trump remarked on the challenges of ongoing nuclear negotiations with Tehran, describing Iranian officials as highly skilled bargainers. “We’re doing a lot of work on Iran right now,” he said. “It’s tough. … They’re great negotiators.”

Trump elaborated that Iran’s demands were unreasonable. “They’re just asking for things that you can’t do. They don’t want to give up what they have to give up,” he said. “They seek enrichment. We can’t have enrichment. We want just the opposite. And so far, they’re not there.”

He added that Tehran had responded with its own input on the potential nuclear deal. “They have given us their thoughts on the deal. And I said, you know, it’s just not acceptable,” Trump stated, noting that Iran plans to submit a formal counter-proposal.

The phone call came at a time when Trump is also pushing for faster humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza, while urging Iran to halt its nuclear ambitions.

Following the call, Netanyahu is expected to convene a high-level security meeting. Among the participants will be Defense Minister Yisrael Katz, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.

Israeli reports also indicate that Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, IDF Chief of Staff, the head of the Mossad, and the director of the Shin Bet will take part in the meeting.

Last month, after a shooting attack on Israeli embassy staff in Washington, Trump cautioned Netanyahu during a separate phone call not to take actions that could jeopardize negotiations with Iran.

During that conversation, Trump reportedly told Netanyahu that “this is not the time to escalate the situation while he is trying to resolve the issues.”

A senior White House official told the Jerusalem Post that Trump emphasized his commitment to finding a diplomatic path forward with Iran and made clear he didn’t want any developments to derail that effort.

While Trump confirmed that “the second option is still on the table,” he reiterated that diplomacy remains his preferred course of action.

The official added that Trump “encouraged Netanyahu to act cautiously” in light of the delicate state of US-Iran talks.

Trump said his call earlier today with Netanyahu went “very well,” adding that the conversation touched on several issues, including efforts surrounding the Iran nuclear negotiations.

Trump shared that the US has a “meeting with Iran on Thursday,” though he didn’t clarify whether that refers to formal nuclear talks. “We’re trying to make a deal [with Iran] so that there’s no destruction and death,” he said, characterizing the Iranians as “tough negotiators.”

When asked what’s preventing an agreement, Trump said Iran’s demands are “things that you can’t do.” He added that Tehran refuses to abandon its uranium enrichment capabilities, something he says Washington is unwilling to permit — even though the current US proposal reportedly allows for limited enrichment on Iranian soil for a short duration.

“They have given us their thoughts on the deal, and I said it’s just not acceptable,” Trump stated, though he didn’t confirm if Iran officially responded to the US offer.

Regarding the stalled hostage negotiations between Israel and Hamas, Trump said talks are continuing and claimed Iran is “actually involved,” a claim that departs from current reports, as Iran has not formally participated in the Gaza ceasefire mediation to date.

Commenting on the IDF’s seizure of a ship carrying climate activist and antisemite Greta Thunberg, which was attempting to breach Israel’s blockade on Gaza, Trump called Thunberg a “strange” and “angry person,” and advised her to attend “an anger management class.”