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US President Donald Trump expressed frustration with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hours before their White House meeting, questioning why Netanyahu had announced new intelligence about an Iranian nuclear site known as Pickaxe Mountain. In a Fox News interview, Trump said: "I don't need Bibi to tell me that. Bibi is telling me that because he wants me to stay involved." He added: "Why didn't you just tell it to me? Why do you have to announce it to the world?"
The meeting, which ran about 90 minutes, was their first since the two leaders jointly launched a war with Iran on February 28. Trump's comments came as the US and Iran are reportedly engaged in a new diplomatic push following a 13-day escalation.
Coverage comparison
Reports from ABC Australia, Al Jazeera, BBC — World, and the Jerusalem Post all noted Trump's public expression of frustration before the meeting, with several outlets highlighting his remarks on Fox News.
According to the New York Post, as cited by Al Jazeera, Netanyahu was planning to present evidence that Iran was building up its nuclear facilities at Pickaxe Mountain. Trump appeared to push back on this, saying: "I know exactly what's going on at Pickaxe. It's not a big problem. We took out their nuclear sites, and we'll have to take Pickaxe if we don't make a deal."
The BBC — World report placed the meeting in the context of growing friction between the two leaders, noting that Trump has publicly criticised Israel for continuing strikes in Lebanon and ignoring a ceasefire.
Following the meeting, Netanyahu did not appear with Trump, and neither government announced a decision on Pickaxe Mountain. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt called the talks "good and productive," according to the Jerusalem Post. Netanyahu's office said both leaders agreed that Iran must not be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons, but its statement did not say whether Washington accepted Netanyahu's assessment of the site.
Unlike typical White House visits, Trump did not greet Netanyahu at the main entrance, and no joint press conference was held. The prime minister's office released photographs after the talks, while the White House provided only a brief account.
Key claims
- Trump expressed frustration with Netanyahu before their meeting, reportedly because Netanyahu had announced he was bringing new intelligence about Pickaxe Mountain.
- Netanyahu planned to discuss alleged intelligence related to Iran's Pickaxe Mountain, an underground nuclear site near Natanz.
- Trump has repeatedly threatened new attacks, including on Pickaxe Mountain and Iran's civilian infrastructure, if talks with Iran fail.
- The US and Iran are engaged in a new diplomatic push following a 13-day escalation.
- Netanyahu's government opposed the US-Iran memorandum of understanding signed in June, which had included a halt to fighting, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, and the lifting of the US naval blockade on Iran.
- Public support for Israel is decreasing in the US, with recent AP-NORC polling showing only 20 per cent of respondents had a favourable view of Netanyahu.
- The US launched a major wave of strikes against dozens of Revolutionary Guard targets across Iran, as reported by the Jerusalem Post.
- Israel would not be legally bound by a US-Iran agreement, a claim carried by the Jerusalem Post.