Trump allegedly cuts off contact with Netanyahu: Report

US President Donald Trump has reportedly severed direct communication with "Israeli" Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, amid growing frustration and accusations that Netanyahu has been trying to manipulate him.

The claim was made by Yanir Cozin, a correspondent for Israeli Army Radio, who posted on X that Trump’s decision came after close aides conveyed their concerns to "Israeli" Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer.

Trump held a quiet meeting with Dermer at the White House on Thursday, where the two discussed nuclear negotiations with Iran and the ongoing "Israeli" military campaign in Gaza, according to a report by Axios.

The meeting was not publicly disclosed by either the US or "Israeli" governments, and the White House has yet to comment on it.

According to Cozin, Trump’s inner circle told Dermer they believed the "Israeli" premier was attempting to use the president for his own political goals.

An unnamed "Israeli" official told Army Radio that Dermer’s recent discussions with senior Republican figures were perceived as “arrogant and unhelpful,” further straining ties.

"It didn’t help that Dermer spoke to senior Republicans with his usual arrogance about what Trump 'must do,'" the official said. "Trump’s inner circle told him that Netanyahu is manipulating him, and there’s nothing Trump hates more than being portrayed as a sucker, especially someone being played. So he decided to cut off contact. That might still change, but that’s the situation right now."

בכיר ישראלי אומר בהקשר הזה:
"לא עזר שדרמר דיבר עם בכירים רפובליקנים ביהירותו הרגילה שלו על מה טראמפ "חייב לעשות". הסביבה של טראמפ אמרה לו שנתניהו עושה עליו מניפולציות ואין דבר שטראמפ שונא יותר מזה שמציגים אותו כפראייר ועוד כאחד שמשחקים בו, אז הוא החליט לנתק מגע. זה אולי עוד… https://t.co/lnfgmDyEZ2

— Yanir Cozin - יניר קוזין (@yanircozin) May 8, 2025

Cozin also noted that "Israel’s" failure to present a clear, actionable plan on key issues—such as Iran’s nuclear program, the Houthi threat from Yemen, and the post-war future of Gaza—has further fueled Washington’s dissatisfaction with Netanyahu’s leadership.

The timing of the meeting comes as the US readies for what could be a fourth round of nuclear talks with Iran, tentatively scheduled for this weekend in Oman. Iranian state media pointed to May 11 as a likely date for the new round of negotiations. Washington’s top negotiator, Steve Witkoff, confirmed to Axios that the US was working toward holding the next session this weekend. A source told Reuters that Witkoff would be heading to Oman for the talks. Iran has maintained that it remains committed to diplomacy with the US.

While Western powers claim Iran’s nuclear ambitions are aimed at weapons development, Tehran continues to assert that its program is strictly civilian. Trump, however, has repeatedly threatened military action against Iran if no deal is reached.

On Gaza, "Israel’s" Security Cabinet recently approved a controversial plan that could see the full military takeover of the enclave, home to 2.3 million people, and tighter control over humanitarian aid—much of which has been blocked from entering Gaza since March.

"Israel’s" offensive on Gaza has killed more than 52,000 Palestinians, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. The war has displaced nearly the entire population of the strip, created widespread hunger, and prompted mounting allegations of war crimes and genocide.

Trump has also faced fierce criticism for his reported proposal to relocate Palestinians from Gaza and have the US assume control of the territory. Human rights organizations, Arab governments, and the UN have denounced the idea, warning it would constitute ethnic cleansing.