Netanyahu Leaves White House After 90-Minute Closed-Door Meeting With Trump/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ President Donald Trump held separate closed-door meetings Tuesday with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy. Netanyahu’s talks lasted approximately 90 minutes and came amid strains over Iran, Lebanon and other regional issues. White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt described both meetings as “positive and productive,” without releasing detailed accounts.
Quick Look
- Netanyahu met Trump for approximately 90 minutes.
- It was their first meeting since the United States and Israel launched their joint war against Iran.
- Trump met Zelenskyy earlier Tuesday morning.
- Both presidential meetings were closed to news coverage.
- The White House described the two discussions positively.
- Trump and Netanyahu were expected to discuss Lebanon and the Abraham Accords.
- Netanyahu and Zelenskyy planned to attend Lindsey Graham’s funeral.
- Netanyahu called Graham a “dear friend” during a memorial dinner Monday.
Full Rewritten Story
Netanyahu concludes 90-minute meeting with Trump
WASHINGTON — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu left the White House on Tuesday following approximately 90 minutes of closed-door talks with President Donald Trump.
The meeting was the first between the two leaders since the United States and Israel launched their joint war against Iran. It also gave Netanyahu an opportunity to address visible strains that have developed in his relationship with Trump.
Neither leader spoke publicly immediately after the meeting, and journalists were not permitted to cover their discussion.
As Netanyahu departed, White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt announced that Trump had completed separate meetings with both Netanyahu and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
“Both meetings were positive and productive!” Leavitt wrote on X.
The White House did not immediately release a detailed account of the decisions, commitments or disagreements emerging from either meeting.
Iran war and Lebanon agreement expected on agenda
Netanyahu arrived in Washington while the United States weighed its next steps in the conflict with Iran.
The Israeli leader was expected to discuss the war, regional security and the direction of American diplomacy with Trump. The meeting came after periods of close U.S.-Israeli military cooperation followed by reported disagreements over how long the conflict should continue and the terms of any diplomatic settlement.
According to a White House official, the two leaders were also expected to discuss the framework agreement signed by the United States and Israel with Lebanon concerning the Israel-Hezbollah conflict.
The potential expansion of the Abraham Accords was another anticipated subject.
The accords established diplomatic relations between Israel and several Arab countries during Trump’s first presidential term. Trump has sought to expand the agreements as part of his administration’s broader Middle East strategy.
No immediate announcement was made about new countries joining the accords or about changes to the Lebanon framework.
Trump meets Zelenskyy before Netanyahu talks
Before receiving Netanyahu, Trump met with Zelenskyy at the White House earlier Tuesday morning.
That discussion was also closed to the media and marked the second meeting between Trump and the Ukrainian president during July.
Zelenskyy has been seeking deeper American cooperation as Ukraine continues its war against Russia. The Ukrainian leader said the two presidents discussed licenses that would allow Ukraine to produce Patriot air-defense interceptors, along with diplomatic efforts to address the conflict.
Trump’s meetings with Netanyahu and Zelenskyy occurred while both foreign leaders were in Washington to attend memorial services for Graham.
World leaders gather for Graham’s funeral
Graham was being honored Tuesday during memorial services across Washington, including a funeral at Washington National Cathedral.
Trump was expected to deliver remarks at the cathedral. Fox News host Sean Hannity and other prominent conservative figures were also scheduled to participate.
Netanyahu and Zelenskyy were among the international leaders expected to attend, reflecting Graham’s extensive involvement in foreign policy during his Senate career.
The South Carolina Republican was a vocal supporter of both Israel and Ukraine and frequently advocated an assertive American role in global conflicts.
Netanyahu honors Graham at memorial dinner
Netanyahu attended a memorial dinner for Graham in Washington on Monday evening before his White House meeting.
The gathering included Graham’s sister, Darlene Graham, who was appointed to replace him in the Senate. Other members of Graham’s family, friends, members of Congress and senior Trump administration officials also attended, according to the Israeli prime minister’s office.
During the event, Netanyahu remembered Graham as a steadfast supporter of Israel and the United States.
The Israeli leader described him as “deeply committed to the security of the United States, to the security of Israel, and to the ongoing fight against anti-Semitism.”
Netanyahu also spoke about his personal relationship with the late senator.
“America has lost a great patriot. Israel has lost one of its greatest friends and supporters. And I have lost a dear friend,” Netanyahu said at the memorial dinner.
Graham’s death brought together political officials and foreign leaders who worked with him on national security, defense and diplomatic issues.
Although the White House characterized Tuesday’s meetings positively, the administration had not disclosed whether Trump reached any new agreements with Netanyahu or Zelenskyy.
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