Itay Stern

Trump was asked by conservative writer Miranda Devine on her show Pot for Swan about the Axios report and if he had cursed at Netanyahu and called him crazy.

Trump confirmed he did and added, Yeah, it was a little bit.

Trump says despite their differences, the two leaders have worked well together, but they are increasingly at odds.

Trump wants to end the war with Iran and Netanyahu's pushed back.

Iran, however, says any ceasefire deal must include Lebanon.

For NPR News, I'm Itay Stern in Tel Aviv.

Israel's defense minister, Yisrael Katz, says the military carried out a precise overnight strike, killing Ali Raza Tangsiri, Iran's top naval commander.

Katz says Tangsiri was directly responsible for naval mining operations and efforts to block the Strait of Hormuz, a key global shipping route.

According to the U.S.

Treasury, which had previously sanctioned him,

Tangsiri headed the Navy's testing of drones and cruise missiles.

Katz says the killing is the latest warning to Iran that it will continue targeting senior leaders and, quote, operate with full force to achieve its war goals.

For NPR News, I'm Itay Stern in Tel Aviv.

A military cantor sang prayers for Itay Chen, an Israeli-American soldier who was killed in combat on October 7th, 2023, then taken into Gaza by Hamas-led militants.

President Trump's special envoy, Steve Witkoff, gave a eulogy by video, saying Chen reminded him of his own late son, Andrew.

Chen's father, Ruby, thanked Presidents Biden and Trump for their efforts to bring home his son's remains, and he vowed to hold Israeli government accountable for not doing enough to bring more hostages home alive.

He noted that 42 soldiers and civilians abducted to Gaza died during their time in captivity.

Itay Stern, NPR News, Tel Aviv.