Trump and Netanyahu set to meet as US-Iran war drags into its fifth month

US President Donald Trump is scheduled to host Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Tuesday. Trump says Washington is holding friendly talks with Tehran, although he has indicated he is not prepared for prolonged negotiations. Iran, meanwhile, maintains that the United States is struggling to find a way out of the conflict.

Why This Meeting Matters

This will be the first meeting between the two leaders since the start of the US-Iran conflict, giving Netanyahu an opportunity to address growing strains in the relationship. According to a White House official, the discussions will focus on the ongoing conflict with Iran, efforts to advance a peace framework in Lebanon, and expanding the Abraham Accords.

Trump is also expected to meet Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy later the same day to discuss the war in Ukraine, highlighting the administration's broader foreign policy agenda.

Political Pressure on Both Leaders

Both Trump and Netanyahu are facing increasing political pressure at home. Netanyahu is preparing for reelection while dealing with criticism over his relationship with the US administration. Trump, meanwhile, is under mounting pressure to bring the increasingly unpopular conflict with Iran to an end.

When the two leaders announced their joint military campaign against Iran in February, they presented a united front, saying their forces were working together to weaken Iran's leadership. Since then, Iran has responded with drone and missile attacks targeting US military facilities and infrastructure across the Gulf while disrupting shipping through the Strait of Hormuz, increasing pressure on Washington from domestic critics and regional allies to seek a diplomatic solution.

Vice President JD Vance is reportedly expected to attend Tuesday's meeting. Reports suggest he privately warned Israeli officials in June that Trump remained Israel's strongest international supporter. At the same time, recent polling has shown declining public support for Israel in the United States, adding further political pressure on both governments.

The Bigger Regional Picture

The meeting comes during a particularly tense period across the Gulf. Just one day earlier, Saudi Arabia reported intercepting drones targeting oil facilities in the Eastern Province and Riyadh, blaming Iran-backed militias operating from Iraqi territory. Qatar's Ministry of Foreign Affairs condemned the attempted attack, while Qatar's Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs held separate calls with Saudi and Jordanian counterparts, urging all parties to prioritize diplomacy and uphold the existing US-Iran memorandum of understanding, including maintaining freedom of navigation through the Strait of Hormuz.

The memorandum, reached in mid-June, has remained fragile following renewed military exchanges earlier this month. Observers will closely watch whether Tuesday's meeting produces meaningful diplomatic progress or simply reinforces the current fragile status quo, with potential implications for regional stability in the days ahead.