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Israel

April 23, 2025

Tel Aviv 7:12 am

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Amid differences, Trump and Netanyahu hold call, discuss Iran nuclear talks

It was their first conversation since the prime minister's visit to the White House two weeks ago, when the US president announced direct talks with Iran.

: A mural depicting a revolver painted with the colours of the US flag is seen painted on the outer walls of the former US embassy in Tehran, colloquially-referred to as the Spy Den, on April 19, 2025 in Tehran, Iran. Talks between the United States and Iran over the fate of the Islamic Republic's uranium enrichment program continue at the Omani embassy in Rome today. (Photo by Majid Saeedi/Getty Images)

Analysis

Netanyahu's influence over Trump wanes as US-Iran talks progress

Fear is growing in Israel that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is incapable of shaping the nuclear talks between Washington and Tehran.

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

US President Donald Trump speaks to members of the media before boarding Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House on April 3, 2025, in Washington.

White House denies staffer Merav Ceren’s ties to Israeli defense ministry: What to know

Ceren previously worked for the US Senate, and the administration downplayed reports of her past connection to the Israeli government.

An Israeli army Merkava main battle tank crosses the barbed-wire fence into the UN-patrolled buffer zone separating Israeli and Syrian forces in the Golan Heights near the UN Quneitra checkpoint on March 2, 2025.

Analysis

Fragile optimism over Turkey-Israel deconfliction talks in Syria: What to know

As Turkey and Israel seek a better understanding of each other’s positions in Syria, deconfliction talks aim to prevent clashes but offer little hope for broader reconciliation.

Ezgi Akin

Rina Bassist

Jared Szuba

By Ezgi Akin , Rina Bassist , Jared Szuba

Latest News

Analysis

How Trump’s US chip crackdown could shake up Middle East tech ambitions

The Ameca humanoid robot greets visitors at Dubai's Museum of the Future, UAE, Oct. 11, 2022.

Samuel Wendel

By Samuel Wendel

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Analysis

US-Iran gaps seen as bridgeable as Israeli strike leak undermines Netanyahu

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 07: U.S. President Donald Trump greets Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as he arrives at the White House on April 07, 2025 in Washington, DC. President Trump is meeting with Netanyahu to discuss ongoing efforts to release Israeli hostages from Gaza and newly imposed U.S. tariffs. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

Israel’s Ben-Gvir visits US Monday, set to meet Trump officials: What to know

Israeli far-right Minister Itamar Ben Gvir attends a gathering by right-wing activists near the border with Gaza, on Oct. 21, 2024, calling to establish a new Jewish settlement in the Gaza Strip.

Analysis

As Witkoff hints US won't dismantle Iran nuclear program, Israel fears Trump may settle for 'bad deal'

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 07: U.S. President Donald Trump bids farewell to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as he leaves the White House after a meeting on April 07, 2025 in Washington, DC. President Trump was meeting with Netanyahu to discuss ongoing efforts to release Israeli hostages from Gaza and newly imposed U.S. tariffs. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

Samuel Wendel

Senior Market Research Analyst

In Washington, DC, reporting on regional business and tech

Francesco Schiavi

In Bologna, reporting on security, defense, economy, governance

Adam Lucente

News and Business Correspondent

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

Jack Dutton

Chief Business Correspondent

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

Ben Caspit

Israel Columnist

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

Rina Bassist

Associate Editor (Israel)

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

Ami Ayalon, a candidate for the Israeli Labor Party leadership, arrives to vote in the second and decisive round of party primaries on June 12, 2007, in Geva Carmel, northern Israel.

Interview

Ayalon: Netanyahu firing Shin Bet chief to shield inner circle from Qatar probe

Former Shin Bet chief Ami Ayalon accuses Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of endangering Israel’s democracy by going after the country’s gatekeepers, such as current Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar.

An Israeli military vehicle moves through a street in Balata refugee camp, east of Nablus, West Bank, Oct. 1, 2024.

Israel arrests 6 over Turkey money transfer scheme: What we know

The announcement of the indictments comes as Israel over the past week has expanded its operations in the West Bank.

Israeli tanks take position near the fence with the buffer zone that separates the Israeli-annexed Golan Heights from the rest of Syria near the Druze village of Majdal Shams on Dec. 8, 2024.

Analysis

Can Trump prevent Israel, Turkey from clashing in Syria?

Seeing opportunity in a new nuclear deal with Iran and eager to avoid entanglement in Syria, Trump appears to finally be making moves toward Middle East engagement. But don't call it a policy yet.

Jared Szuba

In Washington, DC, reporting on defense, national security, military

An Israeli military tank moves to a position during a drill in the annexed Golan Heights on November 9, 2023, amid increasing cross-border tensions between Hezbollah and Israel as fighting continues in the south with Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip. (Photo by Jalaa MAREY / AFP) (Photo by JALAA MAREY/AFP via Getty Images)

Fidan says Turkey-Israel deconfliction talks over Syria underway: What to know

As the two countries have initiated deconfliction talks, Israel sets a red line on military deployments near Palmyra.

WASHINGTON, DC - APRIL 07: U.S. President Donald Trump greets Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu as he arrives at the White House on April 07, 2025 in Washington, DC. President Trump is meeting with Netanyahu to discuss ongoing efforts to release Israeli hostages from Gaza and newly imposed U.S. tariffs. (Photo by Alex Wong/Getty Images)

Analysis

Netanyahu unsettled by Trump-Iran talks but Israel maintains military option

Despite President Donald Trump’s announcement of direct talks with Iran, sources describe the chances of a deal as "slim" and predict a tense summer ahead.

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense

An Israeli soldier checks a Merkava battle tank deployed at a position in the Israel-annexed Golan Heights along the border with southern Syria on March 25, 2025.

Analysis

Israel expanding Syria operations: Buffer zone or open-ended campaign?

Syria's options for responding to Israeli military's actions are limited as the war-torn country seeks international acceptance, according to experts.

Adam Lucente

By Adam Lucente

In New York City, reporting on regional news, militancy, climate change

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 28: U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu participate in a joint statement in the East Room of the White House on January 28, 2020 in Washington, DC. The news conference was held to announce the Trump administration's plan to resolve the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. (Photo by Sarah Silbiger/Getty Images)

Netanyahu set to meet Trump amid differences over Iran, tariffs and Turkey: What to know

In a surprise move, the US president invited the Israeli prime minister to Washington at short notice to discuss his recent tariff decision, the Iranian file and other issues.

BUSHEHR, IRAN - JANUARY 13: (FILE PHOTO) This satellite image from Space Imaging shows a nuclear reactor facility January 13, 2002 near Bushehr, Iran. The U.S. believes this facility and others in Iran could be used by Iran to make nuclear weapons. (Photo by Space Imaging Middle East/Getty Images)

Analysis

As it weighs options, Israel's anxiety mounts over rushed Trump-Iran talks

Israel is unlikely to strike Iran after a nuclear deal is reached, but will it attack during the talks?

Rina Bassist

By Rina Bassist

In Paris, reporting on Israeli politics and European affairs

An anti-aircraft missile at a Syrian army position near the city of al-Safira, south of Aleppo, January 3, 2025, following reported Israeli strikes.

Analysis

Turkey's defense strategy in Syria: Stability, not confrontation with Israel

Turkey's military presence in Syria is focused on territorial integrity and regional security, which could align with long-term Israeli interests despite tensions between Turkey and Israel.

Barin Kayaoglu

By Barin Kayaoglu

In Ankara, reporting on geopolitics and national security

trump shows mbs a chart

Analysis

Can Saudi Arabia use investment flattery to woo Trump during visit?

The US president's top priorities will be shoring up US investment from the Gulf, discussing cease-fires in Ukraine and Gaza and the threat of Iran.

In Bristol, reporting on regional business, climate change, AI, tech

US Deputy Special Envoy to the Middle East Morgan Ortagus meets with Lebanese Parliament Speaker Nabih Berri in Beirut on February 8, 2025. Ortagus warned on February 7 against any Hezbollah presence in Lebanon's new government, saying the Iran-backed group was "defeated" in its war with Israel. (Photo by AFP) (Photo by -/AFP via Getty Images)

Ortagus back in Lebanon to press for Hezbollah disarmament timetable, demarcation

US envoy Morgan Ortagus is expected to firmly tell Lebanese officials they need to establish a clear timetable for the disarmament of Hezbollah.

Golan

Analysis

As Israel pummels Syria, can it avoid collision course with Turkey?

Israel is concerned not only about the intentions of the new Syrian regime, but also about Turkey's growing presence and influence in the region.

In Tel Aviv, reporting on national security, Israeli politics, defense