Netanyahu Meets Trump Amid Iran War, Seeks to Mend Ties and Shape Regional Strategy

Jerusalem, Jul 28: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will meet US President Donald Trump on Tuesday in their first face-to-face talks since the joint US-Israeli military campaign against Iran, with both leaders expected to discuss the ongoing conflict, regional security and efforts to strengthen diplomatic ties in the Middle East. The meeting comes at a politically challenging time for both leaders. Netanyahu faces mounting domestic pressure ahead of elections, while Trump is under scrutiny over the economic impact of the Iran conflict and growing calls to end the war before the US midterm elections. According to White House officials, the leaders will discuss Iran’s nuclear programme, the US-Israel framework agreement with Lebanon following the Israel-Hezbollah conflict, and the expansion of the Abraham Accords. Trump acknowledged there were some differences with Netanyahu over Iran but said the two remained “pretty close.” Relations between the two leaders have reportedly cooled in recent months after initially presenting a united front during the military campaign against Iran. As the conflict escalated and Iran retaliated with missile and drone attacks on US interests in the region, Trump shifted towards diplomatic engagement with Tehran, while Netanyahu continued to advocate sustained military pressure. Israeli officials said Netanyahu plans to brief Trump on Israeli intelligence regarding Iran’s nuclear activities and stress that Tehran’s nuclear ambitions must be permanently halted. Speaking ahead of the visit, Netanyahu said he was eager to hear Trump’s plans for dealing with Iran, adding that diplomacy would be welcome if it ensured the end of Iran’s nuclear programme. The two leaders are also expected to review developments in Gaza and Lebanon. Israel has recently agreed to allow greater deployment of the Lebanese Army in parts of southern Lebanon and has approved limited entry of an international stabilisation force into Gaza under a US-backed framework. The meeting comes amid declining public support for Israel in the United States, particularly over the war in Gaza, making the discussions significant for both countries’ strategic and political priorities.