Donald Trump confirmed that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has requested a meeting at the White House. The diplomatic encounter is expected to take place shortly after Trump’s return from the NATO Summit, potentially within the coming days. Speaking to Axios, Trump described his relationship with Netanyahu as excellent, stating in his characteristically blunt fashion: “We get along great. You know who the boss is. And he knows who the boss is.” The comment underscores the dynamic nature of the bilateral relationship between the two countries. If confirmed, the visit would mark the first time the two leaders have met since their February meeting in the White House Situation Room, where the Israeli prime minister had presented a detailed plan for military action against Iran.
The timeline of Netanyahu’s visit
An Israeli official clarified that the exact date of the meeting has not yet been finalized. Next week may be too soon, given the U.S. president’s scheduled trip to Turkey. According to the same official, the meeting could take place the following week, depending on the diplomatic commitments of both sides.
Developments on the Iran front and ongoing negotiations
Trump revealed that he has been closely watching the funeral of former Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed on the first day of the war in a joint U.S.-Israeli operation.
According to the U.S. president, Iran is “begging for a deal.” However, both sides agreed to a temporary pause in talks for one week, until the memorial ceremonies for Khamenei are concluded. During this period, neither side will engage in hostilities against the other. “They’re all there. One shot and we could take them all out — but we’re not going to do that, because then we’d have no one left to negotiate with,” Trump said pointedly. The U.S. president also expressed surprise at seeing Iranian citizens weeping at the funeral, having believed that the people hated Khamenei. “Maybe they’re fake tears,” he added with a knowing tone.
A phone call for the U.S. Independence Day anniversary
The Israeli Prime Minister’s office announced that Netanyahu called Trump on Friday to congratulate him on the 250th anniversary of American independence. During the call, Netanyahu highlighted the decisive role the United States plays in safeguarding freedom around the world. He also emphasized that Israel deeply values the historic and close bonds connecting the two nations. The two leaders agreed to meet soon in the United States, reaffirming the diplomatic partnership that defines the relationship between Washington and Jerusalem.
The shadows over the Trump-Netanyahu relationship after the war with Iran
Despite the public statements of goodwill, several people within Trump’s inner circle have grown skeptical and disillusioned with Netanyahu in recent months, primarily over the Iran issue. “Many of Trump’s closest advisers believe Bibi got it wrong on almost everything,” an American official said. Over the past two months, a clear divergence has emerged between the two leaders’ foreign policy and security objectives, as well as their political interests, regarding the war with Iran and other regional matters. Trump signed a memorandum of understanding with Tehran over Netanyahu’s objections, and is reported to have pressured the Israeli prime minister to scale back Israeli military operations in Lebanon and accept a framework agreement calling for an initial withdrawal of forces from southern Lebanon. A White House meeting is considered especially important for Netanyahu, who is heading into an election campaign ahead of October’s vote while trailing in the polls.
