Israeli Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu met with President Donald Trump at the White House on Tuesday in what Israeli officials characterized as a highly successful and productive discussion. The leaders focused substantially on Iran and reaffirmed their shared commitment to preventing the Islamic Republic from obtaining nuclear weapons.
A senior Israeli official traveling with Netanyahu described the Oval Office meeting as a "very good and very positive meeting."
"The two talked about all arenas, primarily Iran, and reiterated the joint commitment to prevent Iran from having nuclear weapons," The official said.
Following the talks, another senior Israeli official told Channel 12 that discussions are unfolding at a key moment as the Trump administration considers its approach to Iran.
"We are in a critical period," The official stated, adding that "President Trump will make a decision soon where he is heading. We are not pushing him, but also aren't burying our heads in the sand. Netanyahu presented [Trump with] the Israeli perspective."
Netanyahu provided Trump with Israeli intelligence assessments concerning Iran's nuclear activities and military capabilities to emphasize the urgency of the threat. According to the report, Netanyahu believes military action against Iran may become necessary once more.
"Netanyahu believes there is no choice" But to attack Iran again, the official said. These would need to be "significant attacks, on nuclear facilities, capabilities that have been rebuilt, and sites that weren't previously hit." Israel believes such strikes could have the potential to "shake the stability of the regime."