Washington: U.S. President Donald Trump has said that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has requested a meeting with him at the White House, adding that Netanyahu “knows who the boss is,” in remarks widely interpreted as referring to himself.

According to the U.S. news website Axios, the meeting could take place as early as next week, following Trump’s return from the NATO summit.

In a brief telephone interview with Axios, Trump said, “Our relationship is very good. Netanyahu knows who has the real authority.” The report noted that Trump was referring to himself.

If held, the meeting would be the first between the two leaders since their reportedly unusual meeting in the White House Situation Room in February, during which, according to Axios, Netanyahu presented a plan for a joint U.S.-Israeli military campaign against Iran.

Axios further reported that since that February meeting, skepticism and frustration toward Netanyahu have grown among some of Trump’s close advisers.

One U.S. official quoted by the publication said that many of Trump’s senior advisers believe Netanyahu “has been wrong on every issue.”

The report added that over the past two months, disagreements over the regional conflict and other strategic matters have created noticeable differences between Trump and Netanyahu on issues of national security, foreign policy, and domestic political interests.

Last month, Trump reportedly criticized Netanyahu during a phone call over the escalation of Israeli military operations in Lebanon and allegedly described the Israeli prime minister as “crazy.” The reported disagreements have also deepened existing divisions within the Republican Party over Israel and the ongoing regional conflict.

Comments on Iran

Trump also told Axios that he was closely following developments surrounding the funeral ceremonies of Iran’s former Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, and claimed that Iran was eager to reach an agreement.

According to Trump, both sides had decided to pause negotiations for a week until the funeral ceremonies concluded, during which neither side would launch attacks against the other.

“They’re all in one place. If we carried out just one strike, we could eliminate everyone there,” Trump said. “But we’re not going to do that, because then there would be no one left to negotiate with.”

Trump further remarked that he was surprised to see some Iranians mourning Khamenei.