- Trump criticised Netanyahu over reports that details of their Iran discussions were leaked before their meeting
- The US president also held talks with Zelenskyy on Ukraine’s defence and peace efforts
- The White House meetings come as tensions persist over the conflicts in Iran and Ukraine
U.S. President Donald Trump has expressed frustration with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ahead of their meeting at the White House, accusing him of allowing details of their expected discussions on Iran to become public.
Speaking during an interview on Fox & Friends on Tuesday, Eko Hot Blog gathered that Trump reacted to reports that Netanyahu intended to brief him on intelligence concerning Pickaxe Mountain, a heavily fortified underground site believed to be linked to Iran’s nuclear programme.
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Referring to the Israeli leader by his nickname, Trump questioned why the information had been disclosed publicly instead of being discussed privately.
“I don’t need Bibi to tell me that. Bibi’s saying it because he wants me to stay involved. Why not tell me directly instead of announcing it to the world?” Trump said.
The comments followed a report by the New York Post claiming that Netanyahu planned to present intelligence suggesting Iran was expanding activities at the underground facility while misleading the international community about its willingness to pursue a peace agreement.
Netanyahu’s office did not immediately respond to Trump’s remarks.
The meeting between both leaders came shortly after Trump held a private session with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy at the White House.
While relations between Trump and Zelenskyy have improved in recent months amid Ukraine’s resistance against Russian advances, tensions appear to have grown between Trump and Netanyahu over the lack of progress in resolving the conflict involving Iran. Some of Trump’s supporters have also criticised continued U.S. involvement in the Middle East.
Trump, Netanyahu and Zelenskyy are all in Washington to attend a memorial service for the late Senator Lindsey Graham, a longtime advocate for Israel and Ukraine.
Before arriving at the White House, Zelenskyy said strengthening Ukraine’s air defence systems and expanding strategic cooperation with the United States were the top priorities of his visit.
He also reiterated his call for renewed efforts to achieve peace, saying the conflict with Russia must be brought to an end.
The wars in Ukraine and the Middle East remain at critical stages. Trump recently announced a pause in U.S. airstrikes linked to the Iran conflict to allow diplomatic efforts to continue, while Ukraine has recently recorded gains on the battlefield.
Despite the strains in their relationship, Trump and Netanyahu are expected to discuss Iran, regional security and the expansion of the Abraham Accords, the diplomatic agreements that normalised Israel’s relations with several Arab nations.
Netanyahu is also believed to be seeking Trump’s backing ahead of Israel’s October general election, as he faces mounting political pressure at home.
Meanwhile, Zelenskyy is expected to use his Washington visit to push for additional U.S. military assistance, including enhanced air defence systems, progress on a drone cooperation agreement and support for Ukraine’s production of Patriot missile interceptors. After meeting Trump, the Ukrainian president is also scheduled to hold talks with members of the U.S. Senate.
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