Donald Trump, Benjamin Netanyahu divided over Iran's Pickaxe mountain

Key Points:

• Prior to a meeting with President Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu revealed new intelligence about Iran's underground nuclear site, Pickaxe Mountain, prompting Trump to question the public disclosure and downplay the site's immediate significance.
• The 90-minute Oval Office meeting ended without joint statements or clear decisions on Pickaxe Mountain, reflecting underlying tensions between Netanyahu's push for military action and Trump's preference for diplomacy regarding Iran's nuclear ambitions.
• Experts note that while Pickaxe Mountain is Iran's most protected nuclear site with increased activity, military strikes could only delay, not eliminate, Iran's nuclear program, highlighting the limits of military options and the appeal of sustained economic pressure.
• Israel is not legally bound by any US-Iran agreements it did not sign, but remains dependent on Washington, balancing its intelligence sharing and diplomatic efforts without pushing the US relationship to a breaking point ahead of critical US midterm elections.
• Despite reports of friction, US officials emphasize continued trust and cooperation between Trump and Netanyahu, though no new defense commitments were announced; ongoing disputes include approaches to Iran, Hezbollah disarmament in Lebanon, and regional security arrangements.