A diplomatic crisis has erupted after a series of undisclosed conversations between former US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu were described by a senior British official as ‘crazy’, casting doubt on the viability of UK-led negotiations with Tehran.
The remarks, made by a Whitehall source to The Times, suggest that the two leaders may have coordinated positions that run directly counter to the framework being advanced by Foreign Secretary David Lammy. The talks, which have been billed as Britain’s most significant foreign policy initiative in years, seek to revive elements of the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action while addressing Israel’s security concerns.
Details of the phone calls remain classified, but sources indicate that Trump urged Netanyahu to reject any deal that does not dismantle Iran’s entire nuclear infrastructure. Such a condition is considered a non-starter by Iranian negotiators, who insist on the right to enrich uranium for civilian purposes under international safeguards.
The revelation comes at a critical juncture. British diplomats were preparing to host the next round of talks in London next week, with delegations from France, Germany, and the European Union expected to attend. The US was to be represented by a special envoy, though it remains unclear whether that official has been informed of the Trump-Netanyahu discussions.
A spokesperson for the Prime Minister’s office declined to comment directly on the allegations, stating only that “the UK continues to work closely with all parties to ensure a stable and secure Middle East.” However, a Downing Street insider described the situation as “deeply unhelpful” and warned that it could undermine trust in the British mediation effort.
Netanyahu’s office has dismissed the report as “baseless speculation”, while Trump’s representatives have not responded to requests for comment. A former Israeli diplomat, speaking on condition of anonymity, said that Netanyahu had long been sceptical of any deal that leaves Iran with a threshold nuclear capability. “He sees 2015 as a strategic mistake that empowered Iran regionally,” the diplomat said. “If Trump is back in office, he would be a natural ally for that view.”
The strain on UK-Israel relations is palpable. Lammy had invested significant personal capital in the talks, scheduling a visit to Jerusalem last month to reassure Israeli leaders of Britain’s commitment to their security. That trip now appears to have been overshadowed by the parallel channel between Jerusalem and Mar-a-Lago.
Analysts point to the fragility of the British position. Without American buy-in on core issues such as sanctions relief and verification mechanisms, the UK-led process risks becoming a diplomatic sideshow. “Britain is trying to play the honest broker, but if the US and Israel are singing from a different song sheet, the whole operation could collapse,” said Sir John Sawers, former head of MI6.
Iran has reacted by hardening its rhetoric. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi told state television that Tehran would not accept a deal that “excludes the great powers or is dictated by the whims of one country”. He hinted that Iran might accelerate its nuclear programme if the talks fail.
The timing is awkward for the Labour government, which has made reinvigorating multilateral diplomacy a cornerstone of its foreign policy. A diplomatic breakdown would hand a victory to hardliners in Tehran and Washington who oppose any form of negotiated settlement.
For now, Britain’s best hope is to contain the damage. Officials are scrambling to secure a commitment from the Trump camp not to publicly contradict the British position before the London round. But with the former president known for his disregard for diplomatic niceties, that reassurance may prove elusive.
What began as a cautious British initiative to bridge the gap between Washington, Jerusalem, and Tehran has been thrown into chaos by an unguarded comment and a pair of phone calls that have laid bare the competing agendas at play. The coming weeks will test whether London can salvage its most ambitious diplomatic effort in a decade or whether it will become another footnote in the long history of failed Iran negotiations.
