Netanyahu Doubts Iran Deal, Proposes Ending U.S. Military Aid
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- Netanyahu expressed skepticism about reaching a deal with Iran during his first White House meeting with Trump since the Feb. 28 start of the war, with an Israeli official calling gaps with Iranian negotiators 'wide'.
- Hours after the 90-minute meeting, Iran launched its first missile attack on a U.S. base in Jordan since Trump paused strikes Friday, prompting Trump to vow 'a serious response.'
- Trump and Netanyahu discussed three options Trump is weighing: a diplomatic deal via Witkoff and Kushner, continuing the naval blockade with intensified economic pressure, or resuming and intensifying military strikes.
- Netanyahu proposed phasing out U.S. military aid to Israel within 10 years — $16 billion in direct aid, $5-10 billion for missile defense, and a $16 billion joint U.S.-Israel R&D fund — and ordered development of a domestic fighter jet to replace future F-35 dependency.
- Netanyahu presented Trump with a Syria map claiming Turkey controls areas '50 times larger' than Israel's occupation, citing 5% Turkish control versus 0.1% Israeli, to counter what he called 'inaccurate information' shaping Trump's views.
Why it matters: Netanyahu's push to phase out $16 billion in U.S. military aid within a decade — while requesting $16 billion in joint R&D and $5-10 billion for missile defense — reframes the U.S.-Israel relationship as co-financed, not aid-dependent. Combined with Iran's first Jordan strike since Trump's pause, the meeting leaves Trump weighing diplomacy against escalation.
