President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are preparing for a pivotal White House meeting on Tuesday expected to focus on Iran, Lebanon, and the future of the Abraham Accords.
The meeting comes as Netanyahu travels to Washington to attend the funeral of the late Senator Lindsey Graham, where Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is also expected to be present, bringing together three of Graham's closest international allies in a symbolic moment following the longtime senator's death.
Speaking on Fox and Friends on Tuesday morning, Trump dismissed reports that Netanyahu planned to brief him on intelligence regarding Iran's deeply buried Pickaxe Mountain nuclear complex, telling reporters that the Israeli leader should have shared sensitive intelligence privately rather than discussing it publicly.
"Well, I don't need Bibi to tell me that. Bibi is telling me that because he wants me to stay involved [in Iran]," Trump said. "We know exactly what's going on. But no, I heard Bibi announce that. I said, 'Why don't you just tell it to me? Why do you have to announce it to the world?'"
Trump said the United States is closely monitoring the facility through satellite surveillance and insisted Washington already possesses extensive intelligence on the underground complex. "I know exactly what's going on at Pickaxe. It's not a big problem. We took out their nuclear site, and we'll have to take out Pickaxe if we don't make a deal."
"For some reason, we can be in the midst of a beautiful discussion, and [Iran] will come out and say, 'We're not talking,'" Trump said. "Well, that's all we discussed because they'll never have a nuclear weapon. They understand that, and we have had some very good talks...if they don't make a deal, then I go back and I finish the job," Trump said.
However, he added that striking desalination plants or other civilian facilities would primarily hurt ordinary Iranians. "Who am I hurting there? I'm hurting the people, so I'm not looking to do that. I just want, very simply, they cannot have a nuclear weapon." Tuesday's meeting also comes amid signs of growing tension between the two leaders. On Monday, Trump brushed aside Netanyahu's criticism of U.S. plans to sell F-35 fighter jets to Turkey, saying, "Nobody tells me what we should be selling and not."
Netanyahu is expected to argue that Tehran is rebuilding both its nuclear program and ballistic missile capabilities while negotiating with Washington, raising concerns that Iran is not acting in good faith during renewed diplomatic talks. The White House said Trump and Netanyahu will discuss the Iran conflict, a framework for peace in Lebanon, and efforts to expand the Abraham Accords. Trump has also indicated that any future U.S.-Saudi civil nuclear agreement would require Riyadh to normalize relations with Israel. Netanyahu arrives in Washington facing mounting political pressure and a looming trial at home, where support for the Iran war has weakened and national elections are scheduled for October. Despite occasional public disagreements, the Israeli prime minister has continued to describe Trump as one of Israel's closest allies, saying the two leaders have only "tactical disagreements."
The visit coincides with memorial services for Graham, one of Congress' strongest advocates for both Israel and Ukraine. Trump is scheduled to deliver remarks at Graham's funeral at Washington National Cathedral after earlier ceremonies at the U.S. Capitol. Zelensky, who met Graham in Kyiv in the days before the senator's death, is also expected to attend. Graham spent his final months pushing bipartisan sanctions legislation targeting Russia while continuing to champion military support for Ukraine and unwavering backing for Israel. He was also among the Senate's leading advocates for confronting Iran.
The South Carolina Republican's political relationship with Trump evolved dramatically over the past decade. Following Trump's election, Graham became one of the president's closest allies, a frequent golf partner, and one of the administration's most visible defenders on television. The senator remained one of Trump's strongest supporters until his death earlier this month. Graham's sister, Darline Graham, will serve the remainder of his Senate term and has announced plans to seek election to a full term with Trump's endorsement.
