Netanyahu meets Trump at White House amid Iran war tensions
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Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited President Donald Trump for their first White House meeting since the joint campaign against Iran, discussing the conflict, regional agreements and the future of the Abraham Accords.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived at the White House on Tuesday for his first meeting with President Donald Trump since the two leaders launched a joint war against Iran. The talks come as both leaders confront domestic pressure – Netanyahu ahead of a re-election campaign and Trump facing criticism over the costly conflict ahead of the November midterms.
According to a White House official, the agenda includes the framework agreement with Lebanon that followed the Israel-Hezbollah war and possible expansion of the Abraham Accords.
"We have a little difference," Trump told reporters on Monday when asked if he and Netanyahu were aligned on Iran, "but pretty close, yeah."
The meeting follows a period of friction between the allies. After Iran began retaliating with drones and missiles that struck U.S. bases and Gulf shipping, Trump faced calls to end the war, while Netanyahu advocated continued pressure on Iran and its ally Hezbollah. Israeli journalist Amit Segal wrote that the United States appears to be directing the war effort, leaving Israel in a secondary role.
Netanyahu is expected to brief Trump on Israeli intelligence regarding Tehran’s nuclear program. In a recent interview on Fox News, he said he hoped to hear Trump’s ideas for Iran and emphasized the need to end Tehran’s nuclear ambitions, adding that any Israeli response to an Iranian attack would be "very forceful."
The leaders also discussed steps Israel has taken in Gaza and Lebanon to facilitate international involvement. In Lebanon, Israel agreed to a pilot program allowing the Lebanese army to deploy to villages previously held by Hezbollah, with further talks slated for Rome. In Gaza, Israel’s security cabinet approved a measure that could permit a limited international stabilization force – potentially including troops from Morocco and Uganda – to operate in a small area of Rafah, though the force has yet to secure broad commitments.
U.S. support for Israel has waned, particularly over the conduct of operations in Gaza. Vice President-designate JD Vance, who is expected to attend the meeting, has warned Israeli officials that Trump remains their primary ally among world leaders. A recent AP-NORC poll showed a sharp decline in American adult support for Israel.
The meeting marks a critical juncture for the two leaders as they navigate divergent strategies on Iran, regional security and diplomatic initiatives.