Trump-Netanyahu meeting to take place in US soon

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump agreed to meet in the US soon in a phone call, the Israeli Prime Minister's Office said.

Netanyahu congratulated Trump earlier on Saturday on the occasion of US Independence Day and the country's 250th anniversary, the office said in a statement.

Netanyahu said in the phone call that the US is the "defender of freedom worldwide" and that Israel highly values ​​the close relationship between the two countries.

Israeli public broadcaster Kan reported that the two leaders have agreed to meet in the US soon, but no specific date has been set yet. The meeting is expected to take place at the White House.

The report also said that Lebanese President Joseph Aoun may also visit Washington at the same time.

The potential meeting comes at a time when tensions between Washington and Tel Aviv have risen over last month's US-Iran framework peace deal, which has been a source of discomfort for the Israeli government.

Trump has previously criticized Netanyahu on several occasions, particularly over his stance on Lebanon. Recent reports have also pointed to growing tensions between the two leaders.

Source: Anadolu Agency