US President Donald Trump confirmed that he spoke with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday regarding Iran, adding that the call went well and that he is "trying to avoid death and destruction."

Additionally, Trump said Tehran was a tough negotiator as talks continued for a nuclear deal. "We're doing a lot of work on Iran right now," Trump said at an economic event at the White House. "It's tough. ... They're great negotiators."

"They're just asking for things that you can't do. They don't want to give up what they have to give up," he added. "They seek enrichment. We can't have enrichment. We want just the opposite. And so far, they're not there."

"They have given us their thoughts on the deal. And I said, you know, it's just not acceptable," Trump said as Tehran plans to hand Washington a counter-proposal.

The call came as Trump had been trying to accelerate aid into Gaza and had been trying to persuade Iran to give up its nuclear program.

Model of petrol pump is seen in front of US and Iran flag colors in this illustration. (credit: REUTERS/DADO RUVIC/ILLUSTRATION)
Model of petrol pump is seen in front of US and Iran flag colors in this illustration. (credit: REUTERS/DADO RUVIC/ILLUSTRATION)
Following the conversation between the two world leaders, Netanyahu will hold a security meeting, with the participation of Defense Minister Israel Katz, Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, and National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir.

The meeting will also include Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, as well as senior security officials, including the Chief of Staff, the head of the Mossad, and the head of the Shin Bet, Israeli media reported.

Trump warns Netanyahu against taking steps that would harm Iran, US talks

In a previous phone call in May, following the shooting attack on two Israeli embassy workers in Washington, Trump warned Netanyahu against taking actions that could harm the negotiations between the US and Iran regarding the nuclear deal, The Jerusalem Post previously reported.

Trump’s message to Netanyahu was that “this is not the time to escalate the situation while he is trying to resolve the issues.”

According to a senior White House official, Trump told Netanyahu that he wanted to reach a diplomatic solution with Iran and that he “did not want anything to interfere with that.”

The official said Trump’s message to Netanyahu was that “this is not the time to escalate the situation while he is trying to resolve the issues.”

Trump emphasized to Netanyahu that “the second option is still on the table,” but he preferred to explore a diplomatic solution first.

The senior official said Trump “encouraged Netanyahu to act cautiously” during the call.

Amichai Stein contributed to this report.