US President Donald Trump expressed his anger at Benjamin Netanyahu before their meeting at the White House on Tuesday, and complained about the emergence of details of the talking points that the Israeli Prime Minister intends to reveal regarding Iran, in a new sign of tension between the two leaders.
Asked about reports that Netanyahu wanted to talk to him about Mount Pickaxe, a fortified facility buried deep underground near one of Iran’s main nuclear sites, Trump said, using Netanyahu’s nickname. “I don’t need Pepe to tell me that. Pepe tells me that because he wants me to stay involved.”
“Why don’t you tell me? Why do you have to announce it to the world?” Trump said in an interview with “Fox & Friends.”
The New York Post reported on Monday that Netanyahu is expected to provide intelligence to Trump that Iran is building its nuclear facilities at Mount Picaks and is lying about its desire to reach a peace deal, citing a source in Jerusalem.
Netanyahu’s office did not immediately respond to requests for comment on Trump’s statements.
Relations with Zelensky have improved as Ukraine blunts Russian advances, while Netanyahu faces growing frustration in the White House over the lack of progress toward a broader settlement in the Iran conflict and criticism from some Trump supporters who oppose deeper U.S. involvement in the Middle East.
