U.S. President Donald Trump openly expressed disappointment with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of their critical White House meeting, in an interview with Fox News. Trump reacted sharply to the intelligence about the underground nuclear facility at Iran’s Pickaxe Mountain being made public.
Asked by a Fox reporter about reports that Netanyahu would raise the Pickaxe intelligence during the meeting, Trump said: “I don’t need Bibi to tell me that. Why did he have to announce it to the world? I know exactly what’s happening at Pickaxe; it’s not a big problem.” The U.S. president said Netanyahu raised the information to involve Washington in the process.
Behind closed doors
The two leaders’ White House meeting was their first face-to-face since they jointly launched the Iran war on February 28. The meeting began in low-profile fashion; Netanyahu entered the West Wing through a side door. The meeting was held behind closed doors; 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.
F-35 remarks
In remarks to reporters on Monday, Trump downplayed differences with Israel, saying, “We have a small difference, but we are quite close.” He also addressed Israel’s opposition to restarting the F-35 fighter jet program with Turkey, saying: “Frankly, we are 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 flurry with Iran
Trump’s meeting with Netanyahu took place in the shadow of diplomatic contacts that began between Washington and Tehran after a 13-day escalation. The fighting that erupted 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. Netanyahu’s government opposed that agreement and had wanted military operations aimed at regime change to continue.
Netanyahu’s agenda
In an appearance on Fox News Sunday Morning Futures, Netanyahu said he wanted to hear what Trump had in mind on Iran. “He will largely decide how we proceed. If he can achieve this without returning to intense military conflict, 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.
Meanwhile, Netanyahu’s visit coincided with news of escalating settler violence in the West Bank, Israeli military operations carrying out near-daily attacks in Gaza, and an ongoing military presence in Lebanon. Officials indicated that the leaders also had on the table the recent agreement between Israel and the Lebanese government, which critics say grants Israel a virtually indefinite presence.
While the war with Iran is not widely supported in the U.S., growing unease is also being heard within Trump’s Republican Party. Nevertheless, Washington’s unconditional military support for Israel remains unchanged.
