Trump calls Netanyahu "crazy" as war goals split allies

JERUSALEM (AP) — U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu started the war against Iran together. Now they want different things. Israel's latest strikes on Lebanon and Iran have made the split public. Trump warned Israel not to hit Beirut. When it did, Iran fired missiles at Israel for the first time since April. Israel then struck Iran. The fighting has calmed. But the differences between the two leaders remain. Trump faces elections this year. He wants to end an unpopular war and reopen the Strait of Hormuz to lower gas prices. Iran says a full ceasefire in Lebanon is needed for any deal. Netanyahu also faces elections. He is under pressure to stop attacks from Hezbollah and show he is winning the war. He must manage ties with Israel's top ally without appearing weak. **Political pressures push leaders apart** When the U.S. and Israel attacked Iran on Feb. 28, they stood together. Netanyahu wanted to destroy Iran's military and nuclear programs. Trump announced the death of Iran's supreme leader and urged Iranians to take back their country. But Trump wanted a quick win. Netanyahu wanted to defeat Iran and its allies, even if it took longer. As the war dragged on, Americans grew angry about rising gas prices. Some supporters accused Trump of breaking a promise. In Israel, anger grew over Netanyahu's failure to secure a clear victory. Hamas still rules part of Gaza. Hezbollah still fires rockets. Iran's government and nuclear program remain intact. **Lebanon is the main problem** Fighting continues between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon. Iran wants Lebanon included in any ceasefire deal. Trump seems to accept this to get an agreement. Israel wants to keep fighting in Lebanon until Hezbollah is gone. Last week, Trump admitted he called Netanyahu "crazy" during a tense phone call. He said Israel's war on Hezbollah threatened talks with Iran. Trump was angry about Israel's strike in Beirut, which killed two people. He urged restraint after Iran launched missiles. "I call all the shots," Trump said. Hours later, Israel bombed Iran. **Officials play down the rift** A person familiar with U.S.-Israel talks said Trump wanted restraint to calm markets. Israeli officials argued the U.S. would not accept attacks without a response. Both sides understood that ignoring Iranian strikes would hurt Netanyahu politically. Netanyahu has played down the differences. He said Israel has the right to self-defense and called Trump his friend. **Will the damage last?** This is not the first time Trump has disagreed with Netanyahu publicly. In March, Trump was angry when Israel attacked an Iranian gas field. But the U.S. knew about the plan before the attack. Experts say the U.S.-Israel relationship has seen tensions before. What is different now is how public the fight has become. One expert said Netanyahu has been careful not to push too far. If Israel tried to drag the U.S. into a wider war in Iran, that would be a real threat. But that is not happening. Still, basic disagreements remain on Iran, Lebanon and Gaza.