The Kabul Tribune (KT) — U.S. President Donald Trump is set to host Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Tuesday for high-level talks expected to focus on the conflicts involving Iran and Lebanon, regional diplomacy and efforts to expand the Abraham Accords, NBC News reported.
According to the report, the meeting comes at a politically
sensitive time for Netanyahu, who has faced declining domestic support over the
war with Iran, while public backing for his government's actions has also
fallen in the United States.
The two leaders are expected to discuss the ongoing conflict
with Iran, a framework agreement aimed at peace in Lebanon and initiatives to
broaden the Abraham Accords. Trump is also scheduled to meet Ukrainian
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy later on Tuesday to discuss the war in Ukraine.
NBC News said recent tensions have emerged in the
relationship between Trump and Netanyahu. Speaking aboard Air Force One on
Monday, Trump dismissed Netanyahu's criticism of Washington's decision to sell
F-35 fighter jets to Turkey, saying, "Nobody tells me what we should be
selling and not."
Asked whether he and Netanyahu remained aligned on Iran,
Trump replied, "We have a little difference, but pretty close."
Netanyahu told an Israeli Cabinet meeting on Sunday that he
expected to discuss the state of the conflict with Iran during his meeting with
Trump. The war has shown no sign of ending, with the United States conducting
military strikes earlier this month while Iran launched attacks on ships and
U.S. targets across the region.
The meeting will be the first face-to-face encounter between
the two leaders since reports emerged of a heated phone call in which Trump
reportedly described Netanyahu as "f---ing crazy." Trump later
confirmed the report in an interview with the New York Post, saying he had been
frustrated by Israel's continued military operations in Lebanon.
Responding to questions about their differences, Netanyahu
said he and Trump occasionally have "tactical disagreements" but
remain close allies who are able to resolve disputes.
The visit also comes as members of Congress continue to
scrutinize the Trump administration's handling of the conflict. According to
NBC News, four U.S. service members were killed in recent days, bringing the
total number of American military fatalities in the war to 18.
NBC News also reported that U.S. weapons stockpiles have
declined during the conflict and that military commanders have at times allowed
some Iranian missiles and drones to pass through air defenses to conserve
interceptors. Meanwhile, the Pentagon has asked Congress to approve an
additional $67 billion in supplemental funding to expand weapons production and
accelerate deliveries.
U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz said
Washington has the resources needed to continue the military campaign while
leaving room for diplomatic efforts with Iran. He added that all options remain
under consideration.
In a separate interview with Fox News, Netanyahu said U.S.
and Israeli intelligence agencies continue to cooperate closely and stressed
that any future Iranian attack on Israel—whether directly or through proxy
groups—would be met with a "very, very forceful" response.
The Israeli prime minister also endorsed Trump's position
that Saudi Arabia should normalize relations with Israel under the Abraham
Accords before Washington approves a civilian nuclear agreement with Riyadh.
During his U.S. visit, Netanyahu is also expected to attend
a memorial service for the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, whom he described as one
of Israel's strongest supporters.
NBC News reported that Netanyahu also plans to travel to New
York in September for the U.N. General Assembly, despite renewed debate over an
arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court. Trump has stated
that Netanyahu "will not be arrested" while visiting the United
States.
