The disagreements emerged as the United States pursued an agreement with Iran aimed at ending hostilities and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, a critical artery for global energy shipments. Netanyahu reportedly argued for maintaining pressure on Tehran and expressed skepticism about the durability and enforceability of any negotiated settlement.

According to the report, Israeli officials were surprised by Washington’s decision to move toward a diplomatic framework with Iran after months of military confrontation and coordinated efforts to contain Tehran’s regional influence.

During a series of conversations, Netanyahu questioned whether Iran could be trusted to adhere to any agreement and warned against easing pressure on its leadership. Trump, meanwhile, focused increasingly on preventing a broader regional war and minimizing the economic consequences of continued conflict, particularly disruptions to energy markets and maritime trade.

Differences between the two leaders also extended to Lebanon, where Trump reportedly objected to Israeli military operations that could jeopardize ongoing ceasefire initiatives.

The Washington Post reported that exchanges between the leaders became increasingly strained as Trump challenged the strategic value of certain military actions and urged greater restraint in order to preserve diplomatic momentum.

The tensions mark a significant departure from the close alignment that characterized much of the conflict. Throughout the war, Netanyahu had advocated a more aggressive approach toward Iran, presenting intelligence assessments and military proposals while encouraging stronger U.S. involvement.

Trump initially supported many of those objectives and maintained close oversight of developments on the battlefield. However, the report said he later rejected options that could have expanded direct American involvement or prolonged the conflict.

The evolving relationship reflects broader debates within Washington over how best to balance military deterrence with diplomatic engagement in the Middle East.

According to the report, Trump increasingly sought alternative assessments from advisers after discussions with Netanyahu, while some officials within the administration questioned whether domestic political considerations in Israel were influencing decisions related to military operations and regional diplomacy.

Despite the disagreements, the United States and Israel continue to maintain extensive security cooperation. Military coordination between the two countries reportedly expanded significantly during the conflict, with officials describing the level of operational collaboration as unprecedented.

Netanyahu has cultivated a close working relationship with Trump over the past year through frequent visits, regular consultations and public displays of solidarity. However, the latest differences suggest that diverging priorities over Iran, Lebanon and regional stabilization efforts are placing new strains on one of the Middle East’s most consequential strategic partnerships.

The reported disputes come at a critical moment as negotiators seek to transform the U.S.-Iran ceasefire arrangement into a broader settlement while international actors push for a durable ceasefire in Lebanon and greater regional stability.

The “UFC Freedom 250” event will bring 14 Ultimate Fighting Championship competitors into a specially built arena known as “The Claw” on the South Lawn, with organizers linking the event to the 250th anniversary celebrations of US independence.

The event, estimated to cost around $60 million, comes as Trump enters his ninth decade and amid criticism from opponents who questioned holding a combat sports event at the presidential residence during a period of international tensions.

The White House said the UFC is covering the cost of the event. UFC officials said the event was intended as a celebration of the country and its athletes rather than a political gathering.

Some fighters are expected to emerge from the Oval Office before entering the arena, according to organizers. The matches will take place inside the Octagon, the UFC’s trademark eight-sided cage, with seating arranged for thousands of spectators.

The program is also expected to include military displays, historical segments, a flyover, parachute demonstrations and fireworks.

A US judge on Friday rejected a legal challenge seeking to stop the event, allowing preparations to continue.

The fight night has drawn attention beyond sport, with analysts noting Trump’s long association with combat sports and his appeal among many younger male fans.

The event comes as Trump faces renewed scrutiny over his age and health. His physician has said he is in excellent health, while Trump has publicly acknowledged turning 80 was not a milestone he welcomed.

The Justice Department said in a court filing that thunderstorms created safety risks for workers carrying out the removal work and requested an extension until Saturday afternoon.

Democratic Representative Joyce Beatty of Ohio, who filed the lawsuit, opposed the request, calling the delay unacceptable and part of what she described as a pattern of failing to comply with the court’s order.

A federal judge in Washington had earlier rejected a request from the administration and the Kennedy Center board to pause the removal order while an appeal moved forward.

US District Judge Christopher Cooper ruled that only Congress has the authority to rename the performing arts venue, which was established as a memorial to former President John F. Kennedy.

The administration appealed the decision to the US Court of Appeals for the District of Columbia Circuit, which also declined to suspend the order.

Attorneys for Beatty said the law was clear that changing the Kennedy Center’s name required congressional action.

The Kennedy Center opened in 1971 as a memorial to Kennedy, who was assassinated in 1963. After Trump appointed several board members, the board voted in December to rename the center to include his name.

Trump announced plans earlier this year for a major renovation of the center as part of a broader effort to reshape Washington’s landmark sites.

The source, who requested anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter, said Al-Sharaa had been invited to travel to the United States later this month but did not confirm whether the Syrian leader would accept the invitation.

The proposed visit would come months after Al-Sharaa met U.S. President Donald Trump in November, marking the first visit by a Syrian head of state to the United States since Syria gained independence in 1946.

The invitation coincides with Trump’s 80th birthday celebrations on June 14. Trump is scheduled to host an event at the White House on that day.

Relations between the United States and Syria have improved significantly since Al-Sharaa assumed power after the overthrow of Assad in 2024. Washington subsequently lifted sanctions on Syria, while Damascus joined the international coalition against Daesh.

The invitation also follows recent comments by Trump suggesting Syria could play a role in addressing security concerns linked to Hezbollah in neighboring Lebanon.

In remarks to NBC last week, Trump said Al-Sharaa was willing to assist efforts against the Iran-backed group. He described the Syrian leader as having made significant progress in a short period and indicated that Damascus could help address regional security challenges.

According to a diplomat familiar with the matter, Washington has encouraged Syria since the outbreak of the Israel-Hezbollah conflict in March to take a more active position regarding Hezbollah’s activities in Lebanon.

Any potential Syrian involvement would be politically sensitive. Syria maintained close ties with Hezbollah under the Assad government and exerted significant influence in Lebanon for decades following its intervention in the country’s 1975-1990 civil war. Syrian forces withdrew from Lebanon in 2005.

Hezbollah also fought alongside Assad’s government during Syria’s civil war, a factor that has contributed to strained relations between the group and Syria’s current leadership.

Neither Syrian authorities nor U.S. officials immediately commented publicly on whether Al-Sharaa would travel to Washington following the invitation.

According to the report, Washington has signaled openness to extending nuclear-sharing arrangements beyond the six European countries that currently host U.S. dual-capable aircraft, which can deliver nuclear weapons.

NATO members on the alliance’s eastern flank, including Poland and some Baltic states, are reportedly interested in hosting such facilities. However, the newspaper said no agreement appears imminent and discussions remain ongoing within NATO channels.

The White House, Pentagon and NATO had not commented on the report. The discussions come as the alliance continues to assess its deterrence posture amid heightened security concerns in Europe.

The reported agreement comes amid heightened tensions between Washington and Tehran following recent exchanges of air strikes and renewed concerns over regional stability and shipping security in the Gulf. According to the Axios report, the proposed understanding would temporarily preserve the ceasefire framework while opening a diplomatic channel focused on Iran’s nuclear activities.

Neither the White House nor Iranian authorities immediately issued public confirmation of the reported arrangement. The U.S. State Department also did not publicly comment on the Axios report.
The development follows remarks by Trump earlier this week indicating dissatisfaction with the pace and scope of negotiations involving Iran.

It also comes after reports of intensified military exchanges between the two countries, underscoring the fragile security environment surrounding any prospective diplomatic process.

U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio was photographed alongside Trump during a cabinet meeting at the White House on Wednesday, as the administration continued deliberations over Middle East policy and Iran strategy.

Any agreement to reopen structured nuclear negotiations would mark the most significant diplomatic engagement between Washington and Tehran in years. Previous talks aimed at reviving limits on Iran’s nuclear program had stalled amid disputes over sanctions relief, uranium enrichment levels and regional security guarantees.

Financial markets and regional governments have closely monitored developments involving Iran because of their potential implications for global oil supply routes, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz, a critical maritime corridor for energy exports.

The Axios report said Trump’s final decision remained pending as administration officials reviewed the terms of the proposed understanding.

The incident unfolded on Saturday evening when a man identified by police as 21-year-old Nasire Best allegedly fired toward a security checkpoint near the White House. Secret Service personnel returned fire, striking the suspect, who was later pronounced dead at a hospital.

The unidentified bystander sustained a gunshot wound during the exchange of fire. Officials said the injury was not considered life-threatening, though authorities have not determined whether the individual was struck by the suspect’s gunfire or during the officers’ response.

The United States Secret Service said no officers were injured. Secret Service Director Sean Curran expressed concern for the wounded civilian and said the agency hoped for a full recovery.
President Donald Trump was inside the White House at the time of the shooting, according to officials.
Authorities have released limited information regarding the motive behind the attack. In a post on his social media platform, Trump said the suspect appeared to have a “possible obsession” with the White House and linked the incident to his broader calls for expanded security measures around the presidential complex.

The president has requested congressional funding for a major security expansion of the White House campus, including the construction of a large ballroom and additional protective infrastructure. Following the shooting, Trump argued that enhanced facilities would contribute to future presidential security.

Court records show Best had a previous encounter with law enforcement near the White House in July 2025. During that incident, he was arrested after allegedly attempting to enter White House grounds near another checkpoint, ignoring police orders and making statements claiming he was Jesus Christ.

Investigators are reviewing the latest shooting as concerns grow over a series of security incidents near the president. The attack marked the third shooting-related episode in the vicinity of Trump within the past month.

In April, an armed individual breached security at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner, while earlier this month Secret Service officers shot and wounded another man following a confrontation near the Washington Monument.

Best graduated from Dundalk High School in Maryland in 2023 and had previously participated in track and field athletics. In comments reported by U.S. media, a woman identifying herself as his mother said she learned of the shooting through social media and disputed portrayals of her son as a violent person.

The shooting remains under investigation by the Metropolitan Police Department of the District of Columbia and federal authorities.

Trump’s appearance in New York’s Hudson Valley region comes as the White House seeks to bolster its economic message following a decline in the president’s approval ratings on economic management. The event will focus on last year’s tax legislation, including a significant expansion of the state and local tax (SALT) deduction, a key issue for voters in high-tax states such as New York.

Lawler, who faces a closely watched reelection race in November, has emerged as one of the most vulnerable House Republicans. His district was carried by Democratic presidential nominee Kamala Harris in the 2024 election, making it one of only a handful of Republican-held seats in Democratic-leaning territory.

The White House said Trump’s remarks at Rockland Community College in Suffern will highlight measures it says have reduced tax burdens for working families and increased household refunds. Administration officials argue that the expanded SALT deduction, raised to $40,000 from the previous $10,000 cap, has delivered substantial tax relief to residents in suburban New York communities.

The president’s visit comes amid growing economic concerns among voters. According to a recent AP-NORC poll, roughly one-third of U.S. adults approve of Trump’s handling of the economy, a decline from levels recorded at the beginning of his second term. Rising gasoline prices linked to the conflict with Iran have added pressure to household budgets and complicated the administration’s pledge to lower living costs.

Lawler has closely aligned himself with Trump despite representing a politically divided district. He argues that his legislative record and efforts to secure tax relief have broad appeal beyond the Republican base. The congressman played a prominent role in negotiations surrounding the SALT provision and has made the issue central to his reelection campaign.

Democrats, however, are seeking to frame Trump’s appearance as evidence of Lawler’s support for policies they say have failed to address economic challenges facing middle-class families. Five Democratic candidates are competing in a June 23 primary for the opportunity to challenge Lawler in the general election.

Republican strategists contend that Trump remains popular among GOP voters in the district and believe the visit will help energize supporters ahead of a campaign expected to draw national attention.

National Republican Congressional Committee Chairman Richard Hudson said internal polling showed the president performing well in competitive districts, while Democratic support had weakened.

Trump formally endorsed Lawler’s reelection bid last year, reinforcing the congressman’s position within the party as Republicans seek to retain control of the House of Representatives.

The proposal, folded into a broader roughly $70 billion immigration enforcement package aimed at restoring funding for U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and the Border Patrol, has drawn resistance from several Republican lawmakers seeking more detailed justification from the White House and the U.S. Secret Service on how the funds would be allocated.

Senator John Kennedy of Louisiana said on Wednesday the legislation was effectively “back to square one” without the security funding because the necessary votes were lacking. Senator Thom Tillis of North Carolina described the attempt to attach the security proposal to the immigration measure as “a bad idea,” adding that support appeared insufficient even if the package were scaled back.

Senate Majority Leader John Thune acknowledged continuing vote-count challenges and procedural hurdles linked to Senate rules governing the reconciliation process, which Republicans are using to advance the immigration enforcement bill with a simple majority rather than the chamber’s standard 60-vote threshold.

According to lawmakers familiar with the discussions, approximately $220 million of the proposed security package would finance upgrades associated with Trump’s ballroom project, while the remaining funds would support a new visitor screening center, training operations and broader protective infrastructure for the White House complex.

The proposal has become politically contentious as Democrats accuse Republicans of prioritizing spending tied to Trump while voters face elevated living costs. Some Republican lawmakers have also expressed concern over the optics of approving major expenditures linked to the president amid growing intra-party tensions.

Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana questioned the rationale for the spending proposal, saying Americans were struggling with the costs of groceries, fuel and healthcare while lawmakers debated funding “for a ballroom.”

The dispute has unfolded alongside broader Republican unease over a separate $1.776 billion “anti-weaponization” settlement fund designed to compensate Trump allies who claim they were unfairly targeted by federal investigations and government agencies. Democrats are preparing amendments that could restrict or block the fund, particularly for individuals connected to the Jan. 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol.

Thune said Republican leaders were working on revised language that could impose limitations on how the settlement money is distributed. The issue has complicated negotiations as Democrats seek to force politically difficult amendment votes during the reconciliation process.

Tensions between Senate Republicans and Trump intensified further after the president renewed calls to eliminate the Senate filibuster and urged Republicans to dismiss Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough following her ruling that parts of the security proposal could not remain in the immigration legislation under reconciliation rules.

In a social media post, Trump also pressed lawmakers to pass the SAVE Act, a Republican-backed proposal requiring proof of U.S. citizenship for voters, warning Republicans to “get smart and tough” or risk losing political office.

Despite strong alignment with Trump on many policy issues, Senate Republicans have consistently resisted efforts to abolish the filibuster, which preserves the Senate’s 60-vote requirement for most legislation.

The latest disagreements also coincide with mounting frustration among Republican senators over Trump’s endorsement of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton in a Republican runoff contest against incumbent Senator John Cornyn. Some Republican lawmakers privately fear the endorsement could jeopardize the party’s prospects in November’s general election.

House Speaker Mike Johnson said on Wednesday the House would pass the immigration funding bill “whatever form it takes,” even as Senate Republicans continued negotiations over the security funding and settlement provisions.

Republicans are seeking to secure funding for ICE and Border Patrol operations through the end of Trump’s term after Democrats blocked previous efforts in protest of the administration’s immigration enforcement policies and resisted negotiations that produced limited concessions from the White House.

The planned changes would affect workers across the Department of Health and Human Services, including staff involved in shaping public health policy, regulation and research oversight, the sources said. The move follows Trump’s campaign pledge to reclassify certain federal employees viewed by his advisers as exercising significant influence over government policy.

The proposal is tied to a revived version of “Schedule F,” a federal employment category first introduced during Trump’s first term that would allow agencies to remove some career civil servants from traditional job protections. Critics said the measure could expose career officials to politically motivated dismissals, while supporters argued it would increase accountability within the federal bureaucracy.

Employees at agencies overseen by HHS, including the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the Food and Drug Administration and the National Institutes of Health, could be affected depending on how individual positions are classified, the sources said.

The administration has not publicly disclosed how many employees may lose protections or which roles would be targeted first. HHS did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Trump and allies have argued that career officials across federal agencies have obstructed presidential priorities and insulated policy decisions from elected leadership. During the 2024 election campaign, Trump repeatedly pledged to reshape the federal workforce and remove what he described as entrenched bureaucratic resistance within government institutions.

Federal employee unions and governance watchdog groups have opposed the effort, warning it could weaken the independence of scientific and regulatory agencies responsible for public health oversight, drug approvals and medical research funding.

The issue is expected to draw legal and political scrutiny as the administration moves to implement broader changes across the federal workforce.