Donald Trump stated that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had requested a meeting with him at the White House, which could take place as early as next week, after the U.S. president returns from the NATO summit.

“We’re getting along great. You know who’s the boss. And he knows who’s the boss,” Trump told Axios, referring to his relationship with Netanyahu.

If the visit takes place, it will be the first meeting between the two leaders since their one-on-one meeting in February in the White House Situation Room, during which Netanyahu had presented his proposal for a war plan against Iran.

An Israeli official stated that the date has not yet been finalized and that next week might be too soon for the visit, due to Trump’s trip to Turkey. According to the same official, the meeting could take place the very next week.

Trump on Iran: “They’re begging for a deal”

The U.S. president also said he is watching the funeral of Iran’s former supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who was killed on the first day of the war in a joint U.S.-Israeli operation.

According to the U.S. president, the Iranians are “begging for a deal,” however, the two sides have decided to take a one-week break in the talks until Khamenei’s funeral ceremonies are completed.

As he stated, in the meantime, neither side will open fire on the other.

“They’re all there. One shot [and we could wipe them all out], but we’re not going to do that, because then we’ll have no one left to negotiate with,” he said.

Trump added that he was surprised to see Iranians crying at the funeral, as he believed people hated Khamenei. “Maybe they’re fake tears,” he remarked.

The Phone Call Marking the U.S. Independence Day

For its part, the Israeli prime minister’s office announced that Netanyahu spoke by phone with Trump on Friday, to congratulate him on the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence.

According to the statement, Netanyahu emphasized that the U.S. is the guarantor of freedom in the world and that Israel deeply values the close ties between the two countries.

The two leaders agreed to meet soon in the United States.

The Clouds Over the Trump–Netanyahu Relationship After the War with Iran

Despite public statements about good relations, in recent months, several people in Trump’s inner circle have appeared skeptical and disappointed with Netanyahu, particularly regarding the issue of Iran.

“Many of Trump’s closest advisers believe that Bibi was wrong on almost everything,” said a U.S. official.

Over the past two months, a divergence has emerged between the two leaders’ foreign policy and security objectives, as well as their political interests, regarding the war with Iran and other regional issues.

Trump signed a memorandum of understanding with Tehran despite Netanyahu’s objections, and reportedly pressured the Israeli prime minister to limit Israeli military operations in Lebanon and accept an agreementframework agreement that provides for an initial withdrawal of forces from southern Lebanon.

A meeting at the White House is considered particularly important for Netanyahu, who is entering the campaign season ahead of the October elections while trailing in the polls.

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Source: PROTO THEMA