President Trump Discusses Relations with Prime Minister Netanyahu and Thoughts on Meeting Iran’s Supreme Leader

President Trump recently shared insights into his private conversations with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Despite a generally positive relationship, disagreements have emerged between the two leaders, especially regarding Israel’s military actions in Lebanon.

During an interview with The New York Post, President Trump acknowledged calling Prime Minister Netanyahu “crazy” due to frustrations over Israel’s ongoing military campaign against Hezbollah, an Iran-backed militia in Lebanon. He expressed his annoyance with Netanyahu’s persistent conflicts with Lebanon.

These tensions come amidst a reported rift as the war with Iran continues, sparked by initial U.S.-Israeli joint attacks. The Trump administration has excluded Israel from negotiations and has publicly advised Israel to cease hostilities with Hezbollah.

Prime Minister Netanyahu, speaking to CNBC, referred to their differences as “tactical disagreements” but emphasized that they typically find ways to resolve them.

Additionally, President Trump mentioned his interest in meeting Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei. He indicated that a meeting might occur, although the current state of the Ayatollah, reportedly injured by U.S.-Israeli actions, remains uncertain.

Regarding the state of negotiations to end the ongoing war, President Trump mentioned no urgency in reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a critical route for oil and gas transportation, which Iran has largely obstructed since the war’s onset. Asked if the blockade would persist by Labor Day on September 7, President Trump was non-committal.

Jonathan Wolfe provided additional reporting, while Leo Sands is a correspondent for the Breaking News Hub of The New York Times based in London.