President Donald Trump said he expects to host Israeli Prime Minister Binyamin Netanyahu at the White House as early as next week, although Israeli officials indicated that no such visit has been finalized and suggested any meeting would more likely take place later.

Speaking in a brief telephone interview with Axios, Trump expressed confidence in his relationship with the Israeli leader, saying, “We get along very good. [Netanyahu] knows who the boss is.”

Despite Trump’s comments, Israeli officials said there are currently no preparations underway for a White House visit next week. They noted that scheduling challenges surrounding the July 7-8 NATO summit could push any meeting back by at least another week.

Trump also addressed Friday’s funeral for Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, questioning the public displays of mourning while making a striking remark about the gathering.

“They are all there,” he told Axios. “One shot [and we can take them all out], but we are not going to do that because then we would have nobody to negotiate with.” Reflecting on the mourners, Trump added, “Maybe it’s fake tears.”

If it takes place, the meeting would mark the first formal face-to-face talks between Trump and Netanyahu since the two leaders reportedly clashed over Iran.

Last month, according to reports, a tense phone conversation between the two devolved into a heated exchange filled with profanity. Sources familiar with the call claimed Trump accused Netanyahu of being “crazy” and sharply criticized him for what he viewed as a lack of appreciation.

On Friday, however, the two leaders spoke again by phone, with Netanyahu calling to congratulate Trump on the 250th anniversary of American independence, according to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office.

During the conversation, Netanyahu said the United States serves as a guarantor of freedom around the world and emphasized Israel’s appreciation for the strong alliance between the two countries.

The Prime Minister’s Office added that Trump and Netanyahu agreed to hold a meeting in the United States in the near future.

While some reports have suggested the meeting could occur in September on the sidelines of the UN General Assembly, officials have not set a date, leaving open the possibility that the two leaders could meet sooner.

{Matzav.com}