Trump says Netanyahu meeting could follow NATO summit
Trump said Netanyahu asked for a White House meeting, a visit that could test US-Israel coordination on Iran and Lebanon.
Mateo Fernandez ·
President Trump said Saturday that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu requested a White House meeting that could happen as soon as next week, after Trump returns from the NATO summit in Turkey. Reaction pending.
The possible visit would come after months of strain over Iran talks, Lebanon operations and diverging political incentives in both countries. Netanyahu's office said the two leaders spoke Friday and agreed to meet soon in the United States.
Iran talks frame the visit
An Israeli official said next week may be too soon because Trump is due in Turkey for the NATO summit on July 7-8. The official said the meeting could instead take place the following week.
Trump said Iran talks are paused for a week around the funeral of former Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei. He said neither side would fire during that pause, while claiming Iranian officials are seeking a deal.
Officials said tensions between Washington and Jerusalem have sharpened over Israel's actions in Lebanon and the Iran file. Trump signed a memorandum of understanding last month extending the Iran ceasefire and opening new nuclear talks, despite Netanyahu's reservations.
If the meeting is scheduled by July 11, it would signal an effort to repair coordination before the Iran track resumes. If it slips into the week of July 13, the delay would point to unresolved friction over Lebanon, Tehran and Netanyahu's election-year positioning.