US President Donald Trump on Saturday said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu requested a meeting at the White House, with the visit likely to take place as early as next week after Trump returns from the Nato summit.
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Speaking in a brief phone interview with Axios, Trump underlined his relationship with the Israeli leader and said, "We get along very good. [Netanyahu] knows who the boss is," referring to himself.
The proposed meeting would be the first between the two leaders since their high-profile Situation Room meeting in February, during which Netanyahu presented plans for a joint military campaign against Iran.
However, an Israeli official indicated that next week may be too soon because of Trump's visit to Turkey for the Nato summit on July 7-8.
"It might take place the week after," the official said.
The development comes a day after Netanyahu and Trump held a phone conversation, during which the Israeli leader congratulated the US president ahead of America's 250th Independence Day celebrations.
According to Netanyahu's office, the Israeli prime minister described the United States as 'a guarantor of global freedom' and said Israel highly values the close relationship between the two countries.
The statement added that Netanyahu and Trump agreed to meet soon in the United States, although no official date has been announced.
The expected meeting comes at a time when reports suggest differences have emerged between the two leaders over regional issues, including Iran and Israel's military operations in Lebanon.
Last month, Trump signed a memorandum of understanding extending the ceasefire with Iran and reopening nuclear talks despite reservations reportedly expressed by Netanyahu. Trump also urged Israel to limit its operations in Lebanon as negotiations with Iran continued.
According to Axios, some of Trump's advisers have become increasingly critical of Netanyahu in recent months, with one US official claiming that many of the president's closest advisers believe the Israeli prime minister had been "wrong about everything."
Trump also confirmed he is closely following the funeral ceremonies of former Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was killed in a joint US-Israeli military operation earlier this year.
Speaking about negotiations with Tehran, Trump claimed Iran was eager to reach an agreement.
"They are begging to make a deal," Trump said, adding that both sides had agreed to pause negotiations until the funeral events conclude.
He also said neither side would engage in military action during the pause.
"They are all there. One shot [and we can take them all out], but we are not going to do that because then we would have nobody to negotiate with," Trump said.
Commenting on the funeral crowds, Trump added that he was surprised to see mourners grieving for Khamenei.
"Maybe it's fake tears," he remarked.
A White House meeting would be politically significant for Netanyahu as he prepares for Israel's general elections scheduled for October, where recent opinion polls have shown him trailing his rivals.
