As Washington and Tehran await the resumption of talks within days — following the end of the deadline US President Donald Trump gave Iran after the funeral of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei — Israel stepped in, reaffirming that Iran will not possess a nuclear weapon whether a deal is reached or not.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Trump are aligned in their views, with no rift between them, officials said. Meanwhile, Tehran's threats failed to halt the flow of vessels through the Strait of Hormuz, as a convoy of tankers crossed the vital waterway.
Netanyahu confirmed that Iran will not possess a nuclear weapon, with or without a deal, adding: "As long as I am prime minister, Iran will not possess a nuclear weapon. I do not believe there is a rift in the relationship with US President Donald Trump." Netanyahu said he and Trump share the same vision, noting that any differences that may arise between them are discussed frankly and transparently in order to reach solutions.
Netanyahu told the American Fox News network: "Differences may emerge between us, but we discuss them frankly and transparently, and we usually reach solutions." He continued: "Trump is the leader of America and does what serves its interests, and I am the leader of Israel and do what serves its interests. I do not believe there is a rift in my relationship with Trump."
On Saturday, Trump revealed that the Israeli prime minister had requested a meeting with him at the White House, indicating that the meeting could take place early next week upon his return from the NATO summit. Trump said in a phone statement to Axios: "Our relationship is very good. Netanyahu knows who the leader is."
In contrast, an Israeli official ruled out holding the meeting next week, noting that the timing may be too early given Trump's anticipated visit to Turkey to attend the NATO summit scheduled for July 7 and 8. The official added: "The meeting may be held the week after."
These moves come amid reports of growing doubt and concern among those close to Trump regarding Netanyahu's performance in the months following their meeting last February.
The report quoted a US official as saying: "Many of Trump's closest advisers believe that Bibi [Netanyahu] was wrong about everything." Trump had sharply criticised Netanyahu last month during a phone call over the Israeli military escalation in Lebanon, reportedly describing the prime minister as "crazy" and accusing him of ingratitude.
On a separate front, data from a specialised vessel-tracking agency indicated that a convoy of at least 5 ships crossed the Strait of Hormuz on Sunday via a route running along the Omani coast, in the latest preliminary example of commercial shipping traffic beginning to recover.
The convoy, which was heading towards the Gulf of Oman, was led by the crude oil tanker Hafeet, sailing under the Liberian flag, and included 3 tankers loaded with liquefied petroleum gas and liquefied natural gas, as well as a container ship, according to data from the marine traffic tracking agency MarineTraffic.
At the same time, several ships — including a bulk carrier and a chemical tanker owned by China — crossed the strait earlier on Sunday in the opposite direction, using the route closer to the Iranian side of the waterway, as shown by MarineTraffic data.
Several ships attempted on Saturday to cross the vital waterway near the Omani shore, but suddenly changed course and turned back. Since then, 4 of the 8 ships that initially turned back on Saturday have crossed the strait.