Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump have agreed to meet in the United States in the near future, according to Israel’s Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), although no date or venue has been announced.
The planned meeting comes as diplomatic activity in West Asia continues alongside persistent security tensions involving Israel, Hezbollah and Iran. The announcement also follows a period of public criticism by Trump of Netanyahu after Israel’s conflict with Hezbollah in Lebanon threatened peace efforts involving Iran.
According to a statement issued by the PMO after a phone conversation between the two leaders on Friday, Netanyahu congratulated Trump on the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States.
“The US is what ensures the freedom of the world, and Israel greatly appreciates the tight bond between the nations,” Netanyahu said, according to the statement.
The PMO added that both leaders agreed to meet soon in the United States. It did not disclose further details regarding the proposed visit.
Qatar reports progress in Iran-US talks
The development comes days after Qatar said separate meetings were held in Doha on July 1 with US and Iranian negotiators. According to Qatar’s foreign ministry spokesperson, the discussions recorded “positive progress” on issues related to the proposed 14-point Memorandum of Understanding (MoU).
The spokesperson said the parties had agreed to continue discussions, with the next round to be scheduled “at the earliest possible time following the funeral processions of the former Iranian Supreme Leader.”
Israel reiterates Hezbollah position
Earlier this week, Israel said it would continue military operations against Hezbollah despite the ceasefire framework with Lebanon.
In a virtual interview with ANI on July 1, Israeli Deputy Foreign Minister Sharren Haskel said military action would continue as long as Hezbollah posed a threat to Israeli territory.
“If Hezbollah continues to attack Israel, we will continue to defend our people, our communities and our forces,” Haskel said.
“There is nothing more that we want to see than this Iranian terrorist army out of Lebanon… and there is nothing more that the Lebanese government wants to see than this terrorist organisation gone and disarmed,” she added.
Netanyahu seeks to phase out US aid
On June 30, Netanyahu also outlined a broader policy agenda that included ending American financial assistance to Israel, saying the country’s economy was now strong enough to finance itself.
“I want to stop American aid. It’s like welfare; I don’t want it,” Netanyahu said.
He added that Israel’s economy no longer depended on such support and said he wanted the transition process to begin this year.