U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu discussed future strategies regarding Iran, including negotiations, maintaining a maritime blockade, and resuming military action. Netanyahu reportedly expressed skepticism about the likelihood of reaching an agreement with Iran.
According to U.S. media outlet Axios, the two leaders met for about 90 minutes at the White House on July 28 to focus on the Iran issue.
An Israeli official stated that President Trump is currently considering three options: a deal with Iran, maintaining the maritime blockade while increasing economic pressure, and resuming large-scale military action.
Netanyahu viewed the possibility of an agreement with Iran as low. However, the official clarified that Netanyahu did not demand a specific option; instead, the two leaders discussed the potential outcomes of each approach.
Trump reportedly expressed concern that a prolonged conflict could lead to rising international oil prices and significant shocks to the global economy. In response, Netanyahu claimed that Iran is using the Strait of Hormuz as a key bargaining chip to extract concessions from the U.S.
The two leaders also discussed ways to strengthen economic pressure on Iran through both military and non-military means while maintaining the maritime blockade.
Additionally, the meeting addressed reducing Israel's dependence on U.S. military support. Netanyahu explained to Trump a plan to gradually decrease direct U.S. military assistance over the next decade, ultimately aiming for Israel to operate without such support in the long term.
The new memorandum of understanding proposed by Israel could include $16 billion in direct military support and $5 billion to $10 billion for missile defense system development over the next ten years.
Currently, the U.S. is set to provide Israel with a total of $38 billion from 2019 to 2028, of which $33 billion is direct military support. If the new plan is implemented, direct military assistance would be reduced to less than half of the current level over the next decade.
Netanyahu is also preparing for a scenario in which the U.S. halts the supply of advanced fighter jets, such as the F-35. He has reportedly instructed the Israeli defense industry to explore developing its own advanced fighter jets within ten years to reduce reliance on American-made aircraft.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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