Netanyahu and Trump Plan White House Meeting Amid Tensions Over Iran

US President Donald Trump announced in a Saturday interview with Channel 12 News that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has requested a meeting at the White House, potentially as soon as next week after Trump's return from the NATO summit. Trump stated, "We get along great. He [Netanyahu] knows who’s boss," referring to himself. This would be their first meeting since February, when Netanyahu presented his Iran war plan in the White House situation room.

However, an Israeli official clarified that no final date has been set and suggested next week might be too soon due to Trump's planned trip to Turkey, indicating the meeting could occur the following week. The Prime Minister’s office confirmed a recent phone call between Netanyahu and Trump, during which Netanyahu congratulated Trump on the United States’ 250th Independence Day and emphasized the strong bond between the two nations. Both leaders agreed to meet soon in the US.

Since their February meeting, skepticism and disappointment toward Netanyahu have grown among Trump’s inner circle regarding Iran policy. A senior American official remarked that many of Trump’s closest advisors believe Netanyahu has been wrong on nearly every issue. The past two months have seen widening gaps between the leaders on security and political matters, including Iran and regional issues. Trump signed a memorandum of understanding with Iran despite Netanyahu’s objections, pressured him to limit Israeli military activity in Lebanon, and advanced a framework agreement involving an initial IDF withdrawal from southern Lebanon.

The White House meeting holds significant importance for Netanyahu as he faces an uphill battle in the upcoming October elections amid lagging poll numbers. Trump also commented on the funeral of Iran’s former Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, killed in a joint US-Israeli operation at the war’s start. He said Iranians are "begging for a deal," but both sides agreed to a one-week pause in negotiations during the funeral events, with a temporary ceasefire. Trump expressed surprise at seeing Iranians weeping at the funeral, suggesting the tears might be insincere.