Trump-Netanyahu meeting fuels speculation over US-Israel differences on Iran

US President Donald Trump’s latest White House meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has sparked speculation over whether the two leaders are diverging on the future of the conflict with Iran, though analysts say there is little evidence of a breakdown in ties.

Unlike Trump’s typically public Oval Office engagements, Tuesday’s meeting — Netanyahu’s eighth since Trump returned to office — was held behind closed doors. Both leaders offered only brief, general remarks afterward.

Trump described the discussions as “very good,” saying “many important subjects were discussed,” while Netanyahu called it “an excellent meeting” marked by “full partnership” and a shared commitment to preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.

Despite the restrained public messaging, some Israeli media portrayed the meeting as a sign of tension. Haaretz described the encounter as reflecting “Trump’s irritation” and “Netanyahu’s desperation,” suggesting the Israeli leader was seeking to influence US policy on Iran while reinforcing his political standing at home.

Former US intelligence officer Norman Roule, however, cautioned against interpreting the low-key meeting as a deterioration in bilateral relations. He said the absence of the usual ceremonial displays of solidarity did not indicate a weakening alliance and noted that discussions likely also covered Hezbollah, Lebanon and efforts to reduce Iran’s influence there.

According to Roule, Washington has made progress in facilitating direct talks between Israel and Lebanon, securing initial Israeli troop withdrawals and obtaining assurances from Beirut to disarm Hezbollah while keeping Iran out of the negotiations.

Ahead of the meeting, Trump publicly dismissed reports that Netanyahu planned to present him with an Israeli intelligence briefing on Iran’s underground Pickaxe Mountain nuclear facility.

“I don’t need Bibi to tell me that,” Trump told Fox News. “Bibi is telling me that because he wants me to stay involved.”

Following the meeting, an Israeli official told AP that Netanyahu assured Trump Israel would respond if attacked by Iran but would defer to the US president’s judgment on broader military decisions.

Just hours after Netanyahu departed the White House, US Central Command said Iranian Revolutionary Guard forces launched multiple ballistic missiles at a US military base in Jordan. CENTCOM said all the missiles were intercepted and no damage was reported.

Analysts said the timing of the attack could be viewed as a signal from Tehran amid heightened regional tensions, though there is no indication it was directly linked to the White House meeting.