Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has told US President Donald Trump that Israel will not be bound by a recently reached US–Iran agreement, according to CNN, as reported on Thursday by an unnamed Israeli official.
The official said Netanyahu made the remarks during ongoing diplomatic discussions tied to a 60-day negotiation framework under the deal, and has sought to influence the final outcome through right-leaning media figures and US senators aligned with him.
According to the report, Netanyahu believes no final agreement will ultimately emerge and that Iran will not seriously accept restrictions on its nuclear program.
The Israeli leader also reportedly made clear to Trump that Israel considers itself free to act independently of the accord, which includes provisions aimed at ending regional hostilities, including in Lebanon.
Tensions on the ground have continued alongside the diplomatic push. Lebanese state media reported that an Israeli drone strike on a car in southern Lebanon killed one person and critically injured another on Thursday.
Friction over war strategy and diplomacy
The reported remarks come as the US and Iran advance a 14-point memorandum of understanding, mediated by Pakistan, aimed at de-escalation and a structured path toward negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program and sanctions relief.
The agreement—described as the “Islamabad Memorandum”—was signed digitally by Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian and Trump and is intended to guide a 60-day negotiating period.
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Separate reporting by the Wall Street Journal highlights growing strain between Trump and Netanyahu over the conduct and direction of the wider Middle East conflict, particularly regarding strikes in Lebanon.
Trump has reportedly urged restraint in calls with Netanyahu, at one point asking, “Why are you blowing up buildings,” and instructing him to scale back military operations.
Officials cited in the report said Trump has grown increasingly frustrated with Netanyahu’s requests for expanded strikes and has at times challenged his claims more directly than in the past.
‘Crazy’ Netanyahu
In one account, Trump allegedly described Netanyahu as “crazy” in private remarks and suggested that without US backing, he would face serious legal consequences related to corruption charges in Israel.
Despite the friction, Trump publicly described the relationship as an “amazing partnership,” while acknowledging differences over tactics. “Bibi gets a little excited,” he said, adding that he had urged a “softer touch” in military operations and reaffirmed the US as the dominant partner in the alliance.
The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office has not commented on the reported exchanges, while a White House official said relations remained “great,” adding that no foreign leader pressures the US president’s decisions.
