Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Donald Trump met at the White House on Tuesday for the first time since they launched a joint war against Iran, offering a chance for Netanyahu to smooth out strains in their relationship.
The closed-door meeting lasted nearly an hour and a half and was “positive and productive,” according to White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt. The White House and prime minister’s office did not immediately offer more details.
It comes as both face growing pressures at home. Netanyahu is up for reelection and is embattled in part because of his deteriorating relationship with Trump. Trump is under pressure to end an unpopular war that has wreaked economic havoc and driven prices higher ahead of midterm elections this November.
Netanyahu said that he had an “excellent” meeting with Trump at the White House.
“I’ve just finished an excellent meeting with President Trump,” Netanyahu said in a video statement, adding it touched on “our common goal: ensuring that Iran does not obtain nuclear weapons.” “It was one of the best conversations I’ve ever had with the President of the United States, our friend Donald Trump.”
