Trump, Netanyahu discuss Iran in White House meeting
· UPIJuly 28 (UPI) -- U.S. President Donald Trump met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Tuesday at the White House, where the two leaders discussed Iran and the partnership between the United States and Israel.
The meeting was closed to the press, and, in a departure, Trump did not open the meeting even for a few minutes, The New York Times reported. He also did not open a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky that took place earlier Tuesday.
An Israeli official said in a statement that Trump's meeting with Netanyahu included "an excellent and comprehensive discussion on the key issues of the day, first and foremost Iran" and that the leaders "reaffirmed their ironclad commitment to ensuring that Iran never has nuclear weapons."
An Israeli official said Trump and Netanyahu discussed their countries' partnership, "which is stronger than ever, as well as various opportunities in the Middle East," CNN reported. The meeting started at 11:03 a.m., and Netanyahu departed the White House at 12:25 p.m. The Israeli prime minister also attended the funeral Tuesday of the late Sen. Lindsey Graham.
Photos distributed by Netanyahu's office show Netanyahu, Trump, Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, as well as Steve Witkoff, Trump's special envoy, Israeli Ambassador Yechiel Leiter and Israeli national security adviser Shmuel Ben Ezra, The Times said.
Karoline Leavitt, White House press secretary, said on social media that both meetings were "positive and productive."
This was Netanyahu's eighth meeting with Trump in the U.S. president's second term. The two leaders have expressed different opinions about peace agreements in recent weeks. Trump paused U.S. attacks on Iran several days ago after 13 consecutive days of bombing.
"In these complex times, you need to act with both great determination and great wisdom," Netanyahu said in a video statement Monday. "We will discuss all the issues on the agenda, primarily Iran. Of course, our goal is to protect our security and also to expand the circle of peace around us."
Scenes from Lindsey Graham's funeral in Washington
Sen. Darline Graham, sister of the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, pays her respects during a congressional tribute in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol in Washington on July 28, 2026. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo