Trump, Netanyahu agree to 'meet soon' in a phone call amid strained ties

US President Donald Trump held a Telephone call with Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and the two leaders agreed to meet in the United States soon, Israel's premier's office confirmed. In the statement, Netanyahu's office said that the two world leaders discussed bilateral ties and decided to hold an in-person meeting in the US at a later date.

“The Prime Minister said in their conversation that the US is a guarantor of global freedom, and Israel greatly appreciates the close ties between nations," the statement said. “Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Trump agreed to meet soon in the US," it furthered.

During the phone call, Netanyahu also congratulated Trump on the 250th anniversary of the United States’ independence, according to the Prime Minister’s Office. The conversation came at a time when differences between the two leaders over efforts to end the conflict have emerged.

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Netanyahu's office dismisses NYT report

Earlier on Friday, Netanyahu's prime minister's office dismissed a report by The New York Times that claimed that Israel had considered assassinating senior Iranian officials during negotiations with Iran last month.

In a statement, the Prime Minister’s Office described the report as “fake news" and “a total distortion of reality." The NYT report mentioned that the US officials were concerned that Israel could target Iranian negotiators, i.e. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and Iranian Parliament Speaker Mohammad Bagher Ghalibaf, during the peace talks.

In the past, Trump has often condemned Netanyahu for prolonging the conflict in West Asia. Meanwhile, Israeli officials expressed concerns over the United States' decision to sign a peace deal with Iran, instead of putting more pressure on the West Asian nation.