Trump and Netanyahu Meet for the First Time Since the Start of the War on Iran

SadaNews - Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met, in Washington on Tuesday, with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House, for the first time since their countries jointly launched a war on Iran, which has been marked by tensions in their relationship, according to the "French Press Agency".

The relations between the two men reached their lowest point in April during negotiations for a ceasefire that was later announced between the United States and Iran, but it completely collapsed since July 7 with the resumption of military operations between Iran and the United States, from which Israel remains insulated.

The war with Iran is expected to dominate the agenda of the meeting, at a time when Washington insists it wants to give the negotiating track with Tehran a chance.

This meeting will be the eighth between Netanyahu and Trump since the latter returned to the White House last year for his second term.

Netanyahu said before leaving Israel on Monday that his meeting with Trump is "a great honor, but it is also a great responsibility".

He added: "We will discuss all the issues on the agenda, foremost among them Iran. And of course, our goal is to maintain our security, as well as to expand the circle of peace around us".

Upon his arrival in Washington, Netanyahu attended a special memorial dinner honoring the late Senator Lindsey Graham, who passed away on July 11, as confirmed by the Prime Minister's Office. He is scheduled to attend Graham's memorial service later on Tuesday.

During the period of tension, Trump had sharply criticized his Israeli ally. He described him in a press interview as a "very difficult man"; because Israeli forces continued to bombard Lebanon vigorously while Washington was leading negotiations with Tehran to halt the war, which disrupted those negotiations.

He had previously acknowledged that he had directed harsh and profane words to him during a phone call.

Netanyahu minimized the significance of those disagreements, describing them as "differences in approach", confirming that both sides agree on the goals of the war.

The meeting is also expected to address the implementation of the framework agreement sponsored by the United States, which Israel and Lebanon signed last month, and that is still facing difficulties on the ground.

The war in Lebanon erupted after Hezbollah launched a barrage of rockets at Israel in solidarity with Iran. Israeli military operations ceased after the signing of the framework, but Israel still occupies vast areas of southern Lebanon.

The talks will also address the situation in the Gaza Strip, amid stalled diplomatic efforts to launch a reconstruction process for the devastated sector.

After nearly three years of war between Israel and Hamas, the humanitarian situation in the Palestinian territories remains extremely difficult, while the Israeli army continues to carry out strikes it says target militants.