Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and United States President Donald Trump concluded an 80 minute bilateral meeting at the White House on Tuesday evening, marking their eighth official encounter since Trump took office. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt stated via social media following the gathering that the meetings in the Oval Office were "positive and productive."
The expanded meeting featured the entire upper tier of the American national security leadership. Attending alongside President Trump were Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, CIA Director John Ratcliffe, and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff. The Israeli delegation included National Security Advisor Shmuel Ben Ezra, Ambassador Yechiel Leiter, Chief of Staff Ido Norden, Military Secretary Guy Markizano, Policy Advisor Caroline Glick, and Diplomatic Advisor Ophir Falk.
According to Israeli officials familiar with the preparations, the meeting occurred at a critical juncture as President Trump approaches key decisions regarding Iran. Israeli representatives presented their strategic evaluation, indicating that further strikes against restored nuclear facilities and regime assets may be necessary if diplomatic paths fail.
Prior to the session, President Trump addressed questions regarding Iranian nuclear developments, specifically referencing the heavily fortified subterranean facility at Mount Pickax south of Natanz. "I do not need Bibi to tell me that. We are equipped with the best cameras in the world focused there and we know exactly what is happening," Trump stated during an interview with Fox News.
Trump further emphasized the potential for military action if diplomatic negotiations do not yield a comprehensive agreement. "We destroyed their nuclear sites, and we will have to eliminate Mount Pickax too if there is no deal. If there is no deal, we will eliminate it very easily," Trump added, noting that if negotiations collapse, "I am coming back to finish the job."
Official Israeli spokespersons clarified following the summit that full strategic coordination remains intact between the two administrations. Officials noted that there was no pressure exerted on Israel to withdraw prematurely from defensive positions in Gaza or Lebanon, emphasizing that reconstruction efforts in Gaza will not begin prior to complete demilitarization under the yellow line boundary.
According to statements provided by White House officials to Reuters, intelligence reports indicate that Iran previously transferred thousands of advanced centrifuges into the deep underground chambers at Mount Pickax to protect its nuclear program from aerial bombardment. Both leaders reaffirmed their shared commitment to ensure Tehran never acquires nuclear weapons capability.
