U.S. President Donald Trump issued open criticism of the Israeli administration ahead of his meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House. Speaking to Fox News, Trump reacted to the disclosure of intelligence on Iran's underground nuclear facility at Pickaxe Mountain.
In response to a question about whether Netanyahu would raise this issue at 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 is going on at Pickaxe, it's not a big problem.' The U.S. President indicated that the Israeli Prime Minister brought up this information to involve Washington in the process.
Criticism of F-35 Program Interference
Trump also criticized Israel's opposition to the restarting of the F-35 fighter jet program for Turkey. 'Honestly, we are being very kind to many countries that cannot survive without us. And do you know one country that cannot survive without us? Israel,' he said.
Closed-Door Meeting
The two leaders' meeting at the White House was their first face-to-face since the joint Iran war they initiated on February 28. The meeting began low-key; Netanyahu entered the West Wing through a side door. While the meeting was closed to the press, the Israeli Prime Minister's Office later released photos showing Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth also present in the Oval Office.
Meeting Under the Shadow of Regional Tensions
Trump's meeting with Netanyahu took place against the backdrop of diplomatic contacts that started after a 13-day escalation between Washington and Tehran. Clashes that began after the collapse of the memorandum of understanding signed between the U.S. and Iran in June led to the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and the lifting of the U.S. naval blockade. The Netanyahu government opposed this agreement and had demanded the continuation of military operations aimed at regime change.
Netanyahu's visit came at a time of increasing settler violence in the West Bank, Israeli military operations with near-daily attacks in Gaza, and reports of ongoing military presence in Lebanon. The recent agreement reached between Israel and the Lebanese government, which critics say grants Israel a nearly indefinite presence, was also reportedly on the leaders' table.
Netanyahu's Pre-Election Emphasis
In an appearance on Fox News Sunday Morning Futures, Netanyahu said he wanted to hear what Trump had in mind on Iran, adding, 'He will largely determine how we move forward. 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 point out that Netanyahu wants to highlight his close relationship with Trump ahead of the elections expected in Israel in October.
While the war with Iran is not widely supported in the U.S., there are growing voices of unease within Trump's Republican Party. Despite this, Washington's unconditional military support for Israel remains unchanged.
