Beirut: President Donald Trump hosted Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Tuesday for their eighth face-to-face meeting since Trump returned to office. Netanyahu arrived at the West Wing at 10:57 am (1457GMT), with the meeting concluding 90 minutes later.
According to Anadolu Agency, the meeting, which was closed to the media, was described by both sides as positive and productive. White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt stated, "President Trump has concluded his meetings in the Oval Office with Ukrainian President (Volodymyr) Zelenskyy and Prime Minister Netanyahu. Both meetings were positive and productive." Netanyahu characterized the talks as 'excellent,' emphasizing that they reflected a full partnership and mutual support, especially concerning the shared objective of preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons. He described the encounter as 'one of the best' meetings he has experienced with an American president.
Netanyahu's communications director Tzipi Hotovely, quoted by Axios, addressed assertions that Tel Aviv is attempting to dictate American foreign policy on Iran. Her remarks followed Trump's criticism of Netanyahu's emphasis on the Pickaxe Mountain nuclear site as a tactic to ensure Washington remains involved in the conflict. Trump asserted he did not need the prime minister's input on the matter. Hotovely clarified that Netanyahu is not instructing the US president or exerting pressure in any specific direction.
Regarding other regional issues, Hotovely mentioned that the leaders discussed potential normalization between Israel and Saudi Arabia, a move the US president has linked to a civil nuclear deal with Riyadh. She also noted that Trump did not demand the withdrawal of Israeli forces from occupied areas, which include parts of southern Lebanon, Syria, and the West Bank in Palestine.
The high-stakes meeting in the Oval Office included a senior American delegation. US Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth participated in the discussions alongside Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent and US envoy Steve Witkoff. On the Israeli side, Ambassador Yechiel Leiter and other senior officials represented Tel Aviv. A large crowd gathered outside the executive mansion to protest the prime minister's visit before and during the diplomatic exchange.
Discussions with Netanyahu, who came to the US to attend Sen. Lindsay Graham's funeral, were expected to focus on the regional war with Iran, the implementation of the Israel-Lebanon security framework, and efforts to expand the Abraham Accords, the White House informed Anadolu on Monday. The visit occurs amid public friction between the two leaders. Trump recently criticized the prime minister for publicly voicing concerns about Iran's nuclear facilities instead of discussing them privately. He also dismissed Netanyahu's opposition to US fighter jet sales to Trkiye, asserting that no one would dictate American arms exports. Despite the disagreements, Trump said Monday that the two are 'pretty close' on the Iranian issue, while acknowledging a 'little difference' in their approaches.
While in the US, Netanyahu and his wife, Sara, attended a memorial dinner on Monday to honor Graham. Lebanese businessman Antoun Sehnaoui and former US envoy Morgan Ortagus hosted the dinner, according to a report by Axios. It included Graham's family, senior Trump administration officials such as Stephen Miller and Homeland Security Secretary Markwayne Mullin, and Leiter. Bipartisan participation was noted, with Democratic Senators Chris Coons, Jeanne Shaheen, Sheldon Whitehouse, and John Fetterman in attendance. "Israel has lost one of its greatest friends and supporters," Netanyahu said at the tribute. He described Graham as a "great patriot" who remained committed to the security of the US and Israel.