Pickaxe Mountain exposes Trump-Netanyahu divide on Iran, experts say

President Donald Trump publicly rebuked Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, questioning why he announced new intelligence about an Iranian nuclear site instead of sharing it privately.

"I don’t need Bibi to tell me that. Bibi is telling me that because he wants me to stay involved," Trump told Fox News ahead of Netanyahu's Oval Office visit. He added, "Why don’t you just tell it to me? Why do you have to announce it to the world?"

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I don’t need Bibi to tell me that. Bibi is telling me that because he wants me to stay involved.

The underground complex near Natanz, dubbed Pickaxe Mountain, became a focal point of friction during Netanyahu's Washington visit. The meeting lasted about 90 minutes, but neither leader appeared together afterward, and no decisions on the site were announced. White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt described the talks as "good and productive."

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Why don’t you just tell it to me? Why do you have to announce it to the world?

Netanyahu's office stated that both leaders agreed Iran must not be allowed to acquire nuclear weapons. However, the statement did not confirm whether Washington accepted Netanyahu's assessment of the site or intended to act on the intelligence. The visit also lacked the typical public welcome, with Trump not greeting Netanyahu at the main entrance and no joint press conference held.

Details about the United States' intended actions regarding Pickaxe Mountain remain undisclosed. While advisors attended the meeting, sources indicated there was no private one-on-one session, which had preceded earlier military coordination. Netanyahu's office released photographs after the talks, but neither government provided a detailed account of any decisions made.

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good and productive