Netanyahu blocks defense minister's U.S. trip to discuss possible Iran attack

• Netanyahu's move to block the trip is another sign of the tension between him and his minister of defense, who he tried to fire twice in the past two years.
• It's also another indication of the deep distrust between Netanyahu and the Biden administration.

Driving the news: Gallant was supposed to leave Israel on Tuesday night local time, but he didn't get an approval from the cabinet as needed.

• On Tuesday evening, Netanyahu notified Gallant that his trip wouldn't be approved until the prime minister receives a phone call with President Biden and until the Israeli security cabinet approves the response to Iran's missile attack, Israeli officials said.
• Pentagon deputy press secretary Sabrina Singh told reporters later on Tuesday that Israel informed the U.S. Gallant's trip was postponed.

Behind the scenes: Israeli officials said Netanyahu knew about Gallant's planned trip for a week, but didn't conduct the required cabinet approval procedure.

• Since the Iranian attack on Israel last week, Netanyahu has been trying to coordinate a phone call with president Biden, but it still hasn't happened, two sources with knowledge of the issue said.
• Biden has said publicly several times since the Iranian attack that he expected to speak with Netanyahu, but that it would happen after Israel decides how to respond to the Iranian attack. Israeli officials said they have not decided what the response will entail.

What they are saying: The Prime Minister's Office said that there was no point in Gallant's trip to Washington, DC without an official and clear decision about the nature of the retaliation against Iran.

• The Prime Minister's office added that once a decision is made, the person who "needs to discuss it first with the U.S. is Netanyahu and he should do it with President Biden."

What's next: A source with knowledge of the issue told Axios there are efforts underway to schedule a phone call between Biden and Netanyahu and it is expected to take place in the coming days.