Trump says Netanyahu ‘knows who the boss is’, claims Israeli PM requested for White House meeting

US President Donald Trump said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has requested a meeting at the White House, with the two leaders expected to hold talks in the coming weeks despite reports of differences over Iran and the broader Middle East.

In a phone interview with Axios, Trump said Netanyahu had sought a White House meeting that could take place as early as next week after his return from the NATO summit.

“We get along very good. [Netanyahu] knows who the boss is,” Trump said.

If held, the meeting would be the first since the leaders met at the White House in February, when Netanyahu reportedly outlined plans for a joint military campaign against Iran.

However, an Israeli official told Axios that a meeting next week could prove difficult because of Trump’s schedule, including his participation in the July 7-8 NATO summit in Türkiye. The official said the meeting could instead take place the following week.

Netanyahu’s office confirmed that the Israeli leader spoke with Trump on Friday to congratulate him on the 250th anniversary of US Independence. According to a statement, Netanyahu praised the close US-Israel relationship and both leaders agreed to meet soon in the United States to discuss regional developments.

The planned meeting comes amid reports of growing tensions over Middle East policy. Axios reported that some of Trump’s advisers have become increasingly critical of Netanyahu, with one US official saying several of the president’s close aides believed the Israeli leader had been “wrong about everything.”

The report also said Trump criticised Netanyahu during a phone call last month over Israel’s military operations in Lebanon, reportedly calling him “crazy” and accusing him of being ungrateful.

Despite the reported differences, Trump recently extended a ceasefire memorandum with Iran while continuing efforts to revive nuclear negotiations. Axios reported that he also urged Netanyahu to reduce military operations in Lebanon and pursue an agreement that would include an initial Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon.

Trump also said Iran was prepared to resume nuclear negotiations with Washington after the funeral ceremonies for former Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.

“They are begging to make a deal,” Trump said, adding that talks had been delayed until after the funeral.

Referring to the funeral, Trump said he was surprised by the large turnout, adding, “I thought people hated Khamenei. Maybe it’s fake tears.”