Trump speaks with Netanyahu after crucial meeting on Israel-Iran war
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Trump holds a Cabinet meeting in April. Photo: Andrew Harnik/Getty Images
President Trump spoke with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday evening after meeting with his national security team about the escalating war between Israel and Iran, an Israeli official told Axios.
Why it matters: Ahead of the meeting, three U.S. officials said Trump was seriously considering joining the war and launching a U.S. strike against Iran's nuclear facilities, especially its underground uranium enrichment facility in Fordow.
- The meeting took place in the White House Situation Room and lasted about an hour and 20 minutes.
Driving the news: Trump returned early from the G7 summit to focus on Iran, telling reporters on Air Force One overnight that he wasn't interested in a "ceasefire" but a "real end" to the war and to Iran's nuclear program.
- The White House has discussed the idea of meeting directly with the Iranians this week, but Trump said that would "depend what happens when I get back" to Washington.
- Two Israeli officials told Axios that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the Israeli defense establishment continue to believe the Trump is likely to enter the war in the coming days to bomb Iran's underground enrichment facility.
- So far the U.S. has helped Israel defend itself from incoming missiles, but declined to take part in offensive operations.
What they're saying: Amid growing signs that the U.S. could strike Iran, Vice President J.D. Vance pushed back against criticism from prominent MAGA voices about Trump getting involved in the war.
- "The president has shown remarkable restraint in keeping our military's focus on protecting our troops and protecting our citizens," Vance wrote in a lengthy X post stressing Trump's consistency on the Iran nuclear issue.
- "He may decide he needs to take further action to end Iranian enrichment."
Trump himself signaled his thinking in a series of threatening posts on Truth Social ahead of the Situation Room meeting.
- "We now have complete and total control of the skies over Iran. Iran had good sky trackers and other defensive equipment, and plenty of it, but it doesn't compare to American made," Trump wrote.
- A few minutes later he warned Iran's Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei against targeting U.S. forces in the Middle East. "We know exactly where the so-called 'Supreme Leader' is hiding. He is an easy target, but is safe there - We are not going to take him out (kill!), at least not for now. But we don't want missiles shot at civilians, or American soldiers. Our patience is wearing thin," Trump wrote.
- In a third post in less than an hour Trump wrote: "UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER"
Editor's note: This story has been updated to reflect that the meeting has ended.
