Ahead of his important meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House, U.S. President Donald Trump openly criticized the Israeli leader. In a statement to Fox News, Trump questioned Netanyahu’s decision to publicly disclose intelligence about Iran’s underground nuclear facility at Pickaxe Mountain.
When a Fox reporter asked about reports that Netanyahu would raise this issue during the meeting, Trump said, “I don’t need Bibi to tell me this. Why did he have to announce it to the world? I know exactly what is happening at Pickaxe, it’s not a big deal.” The U.S. President said that Netanyahu had raised these details to involve Washington in the process.
Closed-door White House meeting
The meeting at the White House was the first face-to-face encounter between the two leaders since they jointly launched the war on Iran on February 28. The meeting began with a low profile; Netanyahu entered the West Wing through a side door. While the meeting was closed to the press, the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office later released photos showing Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth present in the Oval Office.
Criticism regarding the F-35 program
On Monday, Trump downplayed the differences with Israel, telling reporters, “We have a small disagreement, but we are quite close.” During the same exchange, Trump also addressed Israel’s opposition to restarting the F-35 fighter jet program for Turkey, saying, “Frankly, we are being very kind to many countries that could not survive without us. And do you know a country that could not survive without us? Israel.”
Diplomatic background
Trump’s meeting with Netanyahu took place against the backdrop of diplomatic contacts that began after 13 days of escalation between Washington and Tehran. The clashes that started after the collapse of the memorandum of understanding signed between the U.S. and Iran in June had led to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and the lifting of the U.S. naval blockade. The Netanyahu government opposed this agreement and had called for continued military operations aimed at regime change.
Netanyahu’s goals
During an appearance on Fox News Sunday Morning Futures, Netanyahu said he wanted to hear what Trump had in mind on Iran, adding, “He will largely decide how we proceed. If he can accomplish this without reverting to intense military clashes, why not?” The Israeli Prime Minister also reiterated his zero-tolerance policy toward Iran’s civilian nuclear program. Analysts note that Netanyahu wants to emphasize his close relationship with Trump ahead of elections expected in Israel in October.
Netanyahu’s visit also coincided with reports of escalating settler violence in the West Bank, Israeli forces’ operations carrying out near-daily strikes in Gaza, and the ongoing military presence in Lebanon. It is also reported that the recent agreement between Israel and the Lebanese government, which critics say grants Israel an almost indefinite presence, was on the leaders’ table.
While the war with Iran is not supported by a broad segment of the U.S. population, there are also growing voices of discontent within Trump’s Republican Party. Nevertheless, there has been no change in Washington’s unconditional military support for Israel.
