US President Trump expressed frustration with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in a Fox News interview on Tuesday, just hours before meeting at the White House. The comments came as tensions between the two nations remain high following the ongoing conflict with Iran.
Trump’s remarks were met with skepticism by some analysts who questioned whether he was genuinely expressing his concerns or simply trying to deflect attention from reports of alleged intelligence related to Iran’s Pickaxe Mountain nuclear site. Netanyahu, on the other hand, has been pushing back against Trump’s involvement in the talks, claiming that he wants him to stay involved.
“I don’t need Bibi to tell me what’s going on at Pick axe,” Trump said during a Fox News interview. “I know exactly what’s happening there.” He added that Netanyahu is trying to keep him informed about any intelligence related to Iran’s nuclear program.
Trump also expressed frustration with the Israeli government’s opposition to US plans to resume its F-35 fighter jet program with Turkey, saying it was “frankly nice” of them not to support Israel. Despite this, Trump and his vice president have shown a willingness to criticize Israel in recent weeks, which has raised concerns about Washington’s policy towards the country.
Netanyahu’s visit comes as lawmakers continue to debate a proposed defense budget that would integrate parts of US and Israeli militaries. The package was passed by the US House of Representatives earlier this month, but its fate remains uncertain after it faced opposition from some Republicans.
For his part, Netanyahu said he hoped to meet with Trump in the Oval Office to discuss Iran’s situation. Analysts believe that Netanyahu is aware of his tanking popularity in the US and will likely try to mitigate any negative perceptions by framing the talks as a chance for cooperation on Iran.
Netanyahu has been critical of Trump’s approach towards Israel, calling it “tanking” popular opinion among many Americans. He also expressed frustration with the ongoing conflict between Israel and Palestine, which he believes is being fueled by external factors such as Iranian support.
The meeting between Trump and Netanyahu marks a rare opportunity for two leaders to discuss Iran’s situation in person. However, tensions remain high on both sides, and it remains unclear what will be discussed at their meeting or how the talks will ultimately unfold.
Source: Al Jazeera
Based on reporting from Al Jazeera.
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