Source Aljajeera
WASHINGTON — U.S. President Donald Trump voiced sharp irritation with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, exposing visible friction between the two allies immediately ahead of their high-stakes meeting at the White House.
Speaking during an interview on Fox & Friends, Trump criticized Netanyahu after media reports surfaced detailing the Israeli leader’s intended talking points regarding Iranian nuclear facilities, specifically the fortified underground facility known as Pickaxe Mountain.
“I don’t need Bibi to tell me that. Bibi’s telling me that because he wants me to stay involved,” Trump said, using Netanyahu’s nickname. “Why don’t you just tell it to me? Why do you have to announce it to the world?”
The public rebuke follows a report detailing plans by Israeli intelligence to brief the White House on alleged Iranian nuclear expansion. Trump minimized the reports, asserting that he was fully aware of developments at the site and insisting that Tehran’s activities were “not a big problem.”
Mounting Strains Over Middle East Strategy
The friction reflects broader strategic disagreements that have surfaced between Washington and Jerusalem over regional conflicts and diplomatic strategy. While Netanyahu has sought continued American backing for aggressive containment measures against Iran and its regional proxies, the White House has shown growing caution over deeper involvement.
The meeting marks a pivotal moment for Netanyahu, who is attempting to solidify alignment with the U.S. administration while navigating significant political and security pressures back home.
“I cannot tell you which direction it will go,” said Israel’s UN Ambassador Danny Danon ahead of the talks. “We are prepared for all scenarios, and we will discuss it with the President.”
The bilateral meeting with Netanyahu followed earlier closed-door discussions at the White House between Trump and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky.
