New Iran Proposal Trumps Tense Netanyahu Call

President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu engaged in a difficult phone call Tuesday over a revised Qatar-Pakistan peace proposal for Iran, with sources describing Netanyahu as deeply alarmed by American diplomatic momentum. The conversation exposed growing friction between allies as Trump vacillates between massive military strikes and negotiated settlement.
The revised memo, drafted with Saudi, Turkish, and Egyptian input, aims to bridge gaps through a “letter of intent” both sides would sign to formally end the war and launch thirty days of negotiations on nuclear issues and Hormuz opening. Netanyahu reportedly wants to resume warfare to further degrade Iranian capabilities and destroy critical infrastructure, while Trump maintains deal possibility while keeping military options ready.
Qatar presented the new draft to both Washington and Tehran, with a delegation visiting Iran this week for consultations. Iran’s Foreign Ministry confirmed ongoing negotiations based on its fourteen-point proposal, with Pakistan’s Interior Minister conducting a second Tehran visit in under a week to advance mediation.
Trump asserted Wednesday that Netanyahu “will do whatever I want him to do,” though the Prime Minister’s alarm—described by one source as “hair was on fire”—suggests potential resistance to American diplomatic direction. Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter reportedly informed U.S. lawmakers of Netanyahu’s concerns, though the embassy denied this characterization.
Iran demands cessation of American “piracy” against its shipping and frozen fund release, plus Israeli war termination in Lebanon, as preconditions for successful talks. Whether Tehran shows flexibility on these core demands remains uncertain as mediators refine proposals.