Netanyahu to join Trump for high-stakes meeting at the White House - NBC News

What the report says

NBC News reported that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met President Donald Trump at the White House on Tuesday for a closely watched discussion amid wars involving Iran and Gaza, tensions over Lebanon, and political pressure on Netanyahu at home and abroad. A White House official told NBC before the meeting that the agenda was expected to include the Iran war, a framework for peace in Lebanon and efforts to broaden the Abraham Accords. Press secretary Karoline Leavitt described Trump’s meetings that day, including one with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, as positive and productive.

Netanyahu later posted photos from the Oval Office showing Trump, Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth and special envoy Steve Witkoff. NBC noted that the meeting was their first in-person encounter since the Iran war began in late February and came after public signs of friction, including Trump’s comments that he and Netanyahu had some differences on Iran and on U.S. arms sales to Turkey.

The visit comes as Netanyahu faces an October election, falling U.S. support for Israel’s Gaza campaign, and scrutiny over the U.S. role in the Iran conflict. NBC reported that 18 American troops have been killed during the war, including four in recent days, and that the Pentagon is seeking $67 billion in supplemental funding to expand weapons production and speed deliveries.

Netanyahu was also expected to attend the memorial service for the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, whom he called a major friend of Israel. NBC added that Netanyahu plans to attend the U.N. General Assembly in New York despite an International Criminal Court warrant, which Israeli officials deny is justified.