Trump and Netanyahu hold talks amid Iran war tensions

The talks lasted approximately 90 minutes and were characterized by the White House as "positive and productive." Discussions were expected to center on the war with Iran, with Netanyahu stating before his departure from Israel that their goal was to safeguard security and expand peace. This meeting marked their eighth encounter since Trump's return to office in early 2025 and preceded upcoming elections in Israel and US midterms.

This was also their first meeting since the latest US-Iran hostilities earlier this month, following the collapse of an April ceasefire, an engagement in which Israel did not participate. Prior to the White House meeting, Netanyahu attended a private memorial dinner for the late Senator Lindsey Graham.

Further agenda items included the implementation of a US-backed agreement between Israel and Lebanon, as well as stalled efforts to rebuild Gaza, where the humanitarian situation remains dire nearly three years after the conflict with Hamas began. Relations between Trump and Netanyahu had previously reached a low point in April during negotiations over the Iran ceasefire, with Trump publicly criticizing the Israeli leader and calling him "a very difficult guy," while Netanyahu referred to the exchanges as "tactical disagreements."