Netanyahu Says No Iran Deal Possible, Told Trump 'Savages' Can't Be Trusted

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Tuesday that he doubts a diplomatic agreement can be reached with Iran’s leadership, recounting a recent conversation with President Donald Trump in which the two discussed the possibility of diplomacy, military action and increased economic pressure on Tehran.

Netanyahu said he discussed the options with Trump during their July 28 meeting at the White House and expressed doubts that negotiations could produce an agreement with Iran’s current leadership.

Recounting that conversation at an event Tuesday night, Netanyahu said he told Trump he was skeptical that an agreement could be reached with Iran.

“I doubt, however, that an agreement can be reached with that group there, with those savages,” Netanyahu said.

“I tell you — an agreement cannot be reached,” he added.

The remarks were made at an event in Jerusalem for Israeli settlers in the West Bank and were reported by AFP, with the comments independently carried by outlets including CBS News, Arab News and the Times of Israel.

Netanyahu said his conversation with Trump involved three possible approaches to Iran: pursuing a diplomatic agreement, resuming military action or tightening economic pressure.

He said he supported the third option and praised Trump for choosing to intensify economic pressure rather than immediately launching another major military campaign.

Netanyahu said he had urged Trump to “tighten the siege” on Iran and praised the president for pursuing that strategy “in a very, very, very strong way,” according to the Times of Israel, which reviewed video of Netanyahu’s remarks.

Trump on Monday announced what he called an “economic D-Day” against Iran, expanding the administration’s campaign to punish not only Tehran but also foreign companies and other entities that help sustain the Iranian economy.

Netanyahu said Trump’s approach was significant because it sought to pressure countries and entities that assist Iran, rather than targeting Iran alone.

“Trump decided to tighten the siege on those who assist this regime, this terrible dictatorship,” Netanyahu said, according to AFP.

The comments represent a strong endorsement from Netanyahu of the Trump administration’s latest economic campaign even as the president has continued to leave open the possibility of diplomacy.

Trump has previously pushed for a negotiated resolution with Tehran while also threatening additional military action if Iran refuses to meet U.S. demands.

Iranian officials have rejected the latest U.S. pressure campaign.

Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said Wednesday that the United States would accomplish nothing with its sanctions campaign, according to AFP reporting carried by multiple outlets.

Netanyahu, meanwhile, has long opposed diplomatic agreements that he believes would leave Iran capable of rebuilding its nuclear and military capabilities.

His latest remarks come as the Trump administration seeks to use economic pressure to force Tehran to make concessions while avoiding an immediate return to large-scale military operations.

The confrontation also remains closely tied to the Strait of Hormuz, where commercial shipping has been sharply disrupted during the conflict.

Netanyahu’s comments suggest he sees intensified economic pressure as the preferred course for now, while remaining deeply skeptical that Iran’s leadership can ultimately be persuaded to reach a lasting diplomatic agreement.

At the same time, his account of the July meeting with Trump makes clear that diplomacy was among the options discussed — even as Netanyahu told the president he did not believe Iran’s leaders could be trusted to reach a deal.

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