Axios: Trump holds private talks with Netanyahu adviser ahead of Mid-East trip

U.S. President Donald Trump met with Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer at the White House on May 8, discussing the ongoing nuclear negotiations with Iran and the war in Gaza.

The meeting, which was not publicly announced by either the U.S. or Israel, comes at a critical moment, with the fourth round of nuclear talks set for May 11 in Muscat and Trump’s upcoming Middle East trip to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE, Caliber.Az reports via Axios.

However, the timing of the meeting is particularly noteworthy, given the recent tension between the U.S. and Israel. Just two days before, Netanyahu and his team were blindsided by Trump’s announcement of a ceasefire with the Houthis in Yemen, a move that caught Israeli officials off guard.

The announcement, which was made without prior consultation with Israel, exposed significant gaps in coordination between the two governments. Israeli officials were shocked to learn of the ceasefire through the media, with one official noting, "We were shocked that the Trump administration didn’t tell us anything and we learned about it from the television."

This unexpected development has raised questions about the strength of the U.S.-Israel relationship, particularly as Netanyahu has long expressed skepticism about the U.S. approach to Iran. The Israeli Prime Minister has urged Trump to consider military options rather than relying solely on diplomacy with Tehran. The lack of prior communication over the ceasefire with the Houthis has only heightened concerns about Israel’s influence on U.S. policy, especially as the nuclear talks approach.

Dermer, who had met earlier with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, conveyed Israel’s concerns during his meeting with Trump. The discussions included Vice President Vance, Rubio, and White House envoy Steve Witkoff. While Trump reiterated his commitment to securing a nuclear deal with Iran without resorting to military force, tensions between the two countries over the broader strategy are becoming more apparent.

The timing of the meeting is also significant given the growing crisis in Gaza. Israeli officials have set the end of Trump’s Middle East trip as a deadline for reaching a new hostage and ceasefire deal. Without an agreement, Israel has warned it may undertake a large-scale military operation in Gaza, with the potential to flatten the enclave and displace its entire population.

In the meantime, Witkoff and his team have been working closely with Qatari and Egyptian mediators to press Hamas for a temporary ceasefire in exchange for the release of some hostages. However, Hamas continues to demand that Israel agree to end the war entirely before any hostages are freed, complicating efforts for peace.

By Aghakazim Guliyev