- Israeli prime minister holds first face-to-face talks with US president since conflict with Iran began, with Gaza and regional security also high on agenda
WASHINGTON: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived at the White House on Tuesday for his first in-person meeting with US President Donald Trump since the outbreak of the Iran war, as the two leaders seek to overcome public differences and reaffirm their strategic partnership.
The talks are expected to focus primarily on the conflict with Iran, which began following US and Israeli strikes in late February. Fighting has since paused, with Washington signaling that it wants to use the lull to create space for diplomatic negotiations.
Israel has not participated in the latest round of hostilities between the United States and Iran, which intensified earlier this month after an April ceasefire collapsed.
Eighth Meeting Since Trump Returned to Office
Tuesday’s meeting marks the eighth encounter between Trump and Netanyahu since Trump returned to the White House in early 2025.
The talks come at a politically sensitive time for both leaders, with Israel preparing for national elections and the United States heading toward its midterm elections later this year.
Speaking before departing Israel, Netanyahu said Iran would be the primary issue on the agenda, while emphasizing his government’s broader regional objectives.
“We will discuss all the issues on the agenda, first and foremost Iran. Naturally, our goal is to safeguard our security and also to expand the circle of peace around us,” Netanyahu said.
Upon arriving in Washington, Netanyahu attended a private memorial dinner on Monday evening honoring the late Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, according to his office. He was also scheduled to attend Graham’s memorial service later Tuesday.
Trump-Netanyahu Tensions Put Behind Them
Relations between Trump and Netanyahu deteriorated sharply in April during negotiations surrounding the Iran ceasefire, with Trump publicly expressing anger toward his Israeli counterpart.
Trump later described Netanyahu as a “very difficult guy” in an interview.
Netanyahu subsequently sought to play down the tensions, characterizing them as “tactical disagreements” while insisting that the two leaders remained aligned on their broader strategic objectives.
Tuesday’s meeting offers an opportunity for both sides to demonstrate unity at a critical moment for the region.
Israel-Lebanon Framework Faces Implementation Challenges
The leaders were also expected to discuss implementation of a US-sponsored framework agreement between Israel and Lebanon signed last month.
Putting the agreement into effect on the ground has proved challenging, with the two sides continuing to face significant security and political obstacles.
Regional stability and the future of Israel’s relations with neighboring countries are expected to remain central to the discussions.
Gaza Crisis Remains a Major Concern
The situation in Gaza is also expected to feature prominently in the talks, as diplomatic efforts aimed at restarting reconstruction in the devastated Palestinian territory remain stalled.
Nearly three years after the war between Israel and Hamas began, Gaza continues to face a severe humanitarian crisis. Israeli forces also continue to carry out strikes against targets they say are linked to militants.
The discussions between Trump and Netanyahu come as Washington attempts to advance diplomatic initiatives across the region while balancing Israel’s security concerns with mounting international pressure over the humanitarian situation in Gaza.
The outcome of the White House meeting could provide important indications of how closely Washington and Jerusalem will coordinate their policies on Iran, Gaza, Lebanon and the broader Middle East peace process in the months ahead.
BY: The Times Union
