Trump, Netanyahu Clash Over Iran Strategy as Trump Weighs Strikes Within 2-3 Days
Updated
Updated · The Daily Beast · May 20
Trump, Netanyahu Clash Over Iran Strategy as Trump Weighs Strikes Within 2-3 Days
9 articles · Updated · The Daily Beast · May 20
A secret Tuesday call between Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu turned into a "lengthy and dramatic" clash over the Iran war, with Netanyahu pushing strikes on Tehran and Trump still seeking a diplomatic deal.
Trump said renewed US action could come in "two or three days" if Iran refuses concessions on its nuclear program and the Strait of Hormuz, while Vice President JD Vance called military action only "option B."
Israeli officials are also pressing a more aggressive plan, including a possible Special Forces raid to seize Iran's enriched uranium stockpile, but Axios reported Trump has not approved the high-risk operation.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian earlier rejected Trump's latest proposal, and the Revolutionary Guards warned on Wednesday that any new US or Israeli strikes would bring retaliation "beyond the region."
Why did promising Iran nuclear talks collapse just two days before the U.S.-Israeli surprise attack?
With its uranium buried deep underground, is a high-risk ground raid the only remaining option to disarm Iran?
How long can the global economy survive with the Strait of Hormuz effectively blockaded by the ongoing conflict?
2026 Middle East War: Trump’s Ultimatum, U.S.-Israel Divide, and the Global Fallout
Overview
As of May 20, 2026, the Middle East is caught in a fragile stalemate, with a temporary ceasefire holding but the threat of renewed conflict looming. President Trump’s recent ultimatum to Iran has not broken the deadlock, as negotiations—mediated by Pakistan—remain stalled. Trump is cautious about escalating to full-scale war, partly due to Gulf Arab fears of Iranian retaliation and the volatility of energy markets, which could have serious political consequences in the U.S. This tense situation leaves the region on edge, with peace remaining uncertain and the risk of conflict ever-present.