Trump-Netanyahu Rift Over Iran War Deepens as US Pushes Diplomacy Amid Strait of Hormuz Crisis
- By Thetripurapost Web Desk, Washington
- May 21, 2026
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Differences between Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu over the ongoing Iran war have become increasingly visible, according to reports by CNN.
While Netanyahu reportedly wants continued military strikes against Iran, Trump appears to be leaning toward diplomacy and negotiations to avoid a wider Middle East conflict.
According to reports, the two leaders held a phone conversation for nearly an hour on Tuesday. During the call, Netanyahu allegedly warned Trump that stopping the planned attacks on Iran would be a strategic mistake and insisted that military pressure should continue.
CNN also reported that Trump had informed Netanyahu about a planned targeted military operation against Iran called “Operation Sledgehammer.” However, within 24 hours, Trump announced that the proposed strikes had been paused.
Trump later said the decision came after requests from Gulf nations including Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates, which reportedly urged restraint amid rising regional tensions.
US Senate Passes Resolution to Limit Iran War Powers
In a major political development, the US Senate passed a resolution by a 50-47 vote aimed at restricting Trump’s authority to continue military operations against Iran without congressional approval.
Four Republican senators reportedly voted against Trump’s position. If the resolution becomes law, the US President would need approval from Congress before escalating the Iran conflict further.
The move reflects growing concern in Washington over the possibility of a prolonged Middle East war.
Trump Claims Iran’s Air and Naval Forces Are Weakened
Speaking at the US Coast Guard Academy, Trump claimed that Iran’s navy and air force had been severely weakened during recent confrontations.
Trump said the key question now is whether the United States will intensify military action or whether Iran will agree to compromise and negotiations.
The remarks have further fueled global attention on the rapidly evolving Iran-Israel tensions.
Strait of Hormuz Remains Global Flashpoint
Iran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed that 26 ships, including oil tankers and commercial vessels, crossed the Strait of Hormuz in the last 24 hours with Iranian approval.
The Strait of Hormuz remains one of the world’s most strategically important oil routes, carrying a significant portion of global energy exports.
Any disruption in the region could impact international oil prices and global trade.
UAE Accelerates Alternative Oil Pipeline Project
The UAE’s national oil company, ADNOC, announced that around 50 percent of work on a new oil pipeline bypassing the Strait of Hormuz has already been completed..
The project comes amid reports of drone attacks targeting the Fujairah oil hub since the Iran conflict escalated.
Experts believe the pipeline could help reduce dependence on the vulnerable Hormuz route.
United Nations Warns of Global Food and Inflation Crisis
The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) has warned that any prolonged disruption in the Strait of Hormuz could trigger a global food crisis and sharp inflation.
The UN agency urged countries to develop alternative supply chains and trade routes to minimize the economic impact of the ongoing Middle East tensions.