Trump says Netanyahu 'knows who the boss is'

US President Donald Trump stated on Saturday that 'Israeli' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has requested a face-to-face meeting at the White House.

Speaking in a telephone interview with Axios, Trump noted that the sit-down could take place as early as next week following his return from the upcoming NATO summit.

"We get along very good. Netanyahu knows who the boss is," Trump said, referring to himself.

The potential meeting would mark the first formal dialogue between the two leaders since a highly contentious Situation Room session in February, during which Netanyahu presented an 'Israeli' plan to launch a joint military offensive against Iran.

Scheduling logistics and official statements
While Trump indicated a meeting could materialize quickly, an 'Israeli' official suggested that next week may be premature due to the president's scheduled trip to Turkey for the NATO summit on July 7–8. The official noted that the high-level talks "might take place the week after" instead.

Netanyahu's office confirmed that the prime minister called Trump on Friday to extend congratulations on the 250th Independence Day of the United States.

"During their conversation, the Prime Minister said that the United States is a guarantor of global freedom, and that 'Israel' greatly values the close relationship between the two nations," the Prime Minister’s Office stated, adding that both leaders agreed to meet soon on American soil.

Growing policy rifts

Behind the scenes, the relationship between the two administrations has grown increasingly strained since their February encounter. Sources within Trump’s inner circle report mounting disillusionment with the 'Israeli' leader's regional calculations.

"Many of Trump's closest advisers think that Bibi was wrong about everything," a US official told Axios.

Tensions reportedly peaked during a phone call last month, when Trump criticized Netanyahu over 'Israel's' military escalation in Lebanon, using sharp language to accuse the prime minister of ingratitude.

This friction has exposed a wider schism among Republicans, with prominent MAGA figures criticizing Trump's alignment with 'Israeli' policy.

The strategic interests of the two leaders have increasingly diverged.

Despite vocal objections from Netanyahu, Trump recently signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) extending a ceasefire with Iran and initiating fresh nuclear negotiations.

To safeguard those talks, Trump pressured Netanyahu to restrain 'Israeli' military operations in Lebanon and agree to a framework necessitating an initial withdrawal from southern Lebanon.

Khamenei funeral pause

The proposed White House visit carries significant weight for Netanyahu as he launches his campaign for 'Israel’s' upcoming October elections, where current domestic polling shows him trailing behind competitors.

Concurrently, Trump told Axios he is monitoring the public funeral of former Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was assassinated on the opening day of the conflict in a joint US–'Israeli' operation.

Trump claimed that Iranian officials are eager to secure a diplomatic agreement.

However, he confirmed that both Washington and Tehran agreed to temporarily pause their ongoing negotiation track in Qatar for one week until the funeral concludes.

The president noted that a mutual understanding is in place to prevent kinetic strikes during this period, remarking on the presence of foreign dignitaries at the Tehran processions.

'Israel' potential assassination

United States officials attempted to warn Iran this spring regarding concerns that 'Israel' might assassinate Iranian negotiators during active diplomatic talks, the New York Post reported Friday, citing two US officials.

According to the report, the US specifically feared that 'Israel' could target Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, a lead figure in the negotiations with Washington, or Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who has also maintained a prominent role in the talks.