Intensifying leaks and tense phone calls between President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu suggesting a relationship breakdown over Iran were part of a calculated strategic effort to keep Tehran guessing, a leading defense analyst told Fox News Digital on Sunday.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The public display, which projected American diplomatic patience while shutting out Jerusalem, covertly laid the groundwork for a unified front, he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The strategy culminated in a weekend synchronization phase, with Trump and Netanyahu showcasing total alignment by Sunday, suggested Kobi Michael, a senior researcher at the Institute for National Security Studies (INSS) and the Misgav Institute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Axios had reported Thursday that a difficult call between the leaders focused on a revised U.S. proposal sent to Iran via Pakistan, which Netanyahu reportedly rejected in favor of renewed military action to degrade Tehran\u2019s infrastructure.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
One U.S. source told the outlet that “Netanyahu\u2019s hair was on fire” after the exchange.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Separately, weekend reports suggested Israeli leaders were being marginalized from U.S.-Iran negotiations after Netanyahu\u2019s prewar push for a joint campaign to topple the Iranian regime failed to materialize.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Netanyahu broke his silence Sunday, posting on X to declare absolute solidarity with the White House and project a unified stance.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“The partnership between us and our two countries has been proven on the battlefield and has never been stronger,” Netanyahu shared on X. “My policy, like President Trump\u2019s, remains unchanged: Iran will not have nuclear weapons.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Michael viewed the public friction and targeted leaks as a calculated tactical feint designed to keep Tehran blindsided.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Neither President Trump nor Prime Minister Netanyahu has any interest in any crisis, but by leaking the story of a crisis between Trump and Netanyahu, the Iranians might find themselves surprised by the timing of the next military attack,” Michael said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“The leak created a sense of disagreement between the two leaders and positions Trump as the leader who gives another chance to the diplomatic path despite the pressures of Prime Minister Netanyahu,” he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Trump understands who the Iranians are.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The final synchronization followed a weekend phone call in which Trump reassured Netanyahu that any final agreement with Iran would fully dismantle Tehran\u2019s nuclear program.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Netanyahu also said Trump also “reaffirmed Israel\u2019s right to defend itself against threats on every front, including Lebanon.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Washington has been keeping Jerusalem updated on the negotiations “over a memorandum of understanding to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and enter negotiations toward a final agreement on the points that remain in dispute,” an official statement read.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Following the Sunday call, Netanyahu also thanked Trump for his “exceptional commitment to Israel\u2019s security.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“Netanyahu\u2019s last post about his last conversation with Trump can be understood as the ultimate closure to this deception and any accusations,” Michael added.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
“This is trying to prepare the Israeli public for the idea that everything was fully coordinated with the U.S., and the diplomatic developments will serve the Israeli interest.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Michael added, however, that skepticism remained in Jerusalem over whether the gaps between the U.S. and Iran will be bridged, or whether “Trump will accept the Iranian position.”<\/p>\n\n\n\n