During a recent statement, former President Donald Trump expressed his readiness to back Israeli military actions against Iran should it persist in expanding its nuclear and missile endeavors. Ahead of his meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday, Trump emphasized Israel’s readiness to act swiftly if Iran continues its military advancements. “I’ve been informed that Iran is ramping up its efforts, and if that’s the case, we need to respond decisively. We’ll deal with them forcefully,” Trump told reporters.

However, Trump also noted, “Hopefully, that isn’t the situation. I’ve heard Iran might be open to negotiations. Pursuing a deal would be a much wiser choice.” Recently, Israeli officials have voiced apprehensions over Iran’s efforts to restore its long-range missile capabilities. This summer, the U.S. conducted an airstrike on Iran’s nuclear facility at Fordow, under Operation Midnight Hammer, following Israeli warnings. Trump has consistently maintained that Iran should never be allowed to develop a nuclear weapon.

Additionally, Trump mentioned his interest in securing a pardon for Netanyahu, who faces ongoing corruption accusations, stating on Monday that a pardon is “in progress” and commending Netanyahu’s leadership. However, the office of Israeli President Isaac Herzog quickly refuted any claims of discussions regarding a pardon for Netanyahu. “There has been no communication between President Herzog and President Trump since the pardon request was submitted,” stated Herzog’s office in a release shortly after Trump’s comments.

It is the first face-to-face meeting the pair have had since Trump traveled to Jerusalem in October to triumphantly declare a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas. However, the peace has been tenuous, and both Hamas and Israel have accused each other of violating the agreement. One sticking point for Netanyahu: Hamas has returned all but one of the 255 hostages taken during their October 7, 2023, assault on Israel.

Netanyahu wants Hamas to return the remains of the deceased hostage Ran Gvili, which are still in Gaza. The prime minister’s office has said Netanyahu will meet with Gvili’s parents while he is in Floridavisiting the president. The meeting between Trump and Netanyahu – the fifth this year – comes as White Houseofficials have expressed frustration with Israel and Hamas’s slow-walking the second phase of the president’s peace plan. The complicated phase two of the ceasefire involves the establishment of a technocratic Palestinian government, marking an end to Hamas’ decades long rule of the Gaza Strip.

It also sets up the rebuilding of the tattered Palestinian territory, which is to be overseen by Trump and a group he calls the Board of Peace. If all goes to plan, the ‘technocratic, apolitical’ interim Palestinian government would oversee the daily operations within Gaza while reporting directly to the Board of Peace and President Trump. Trump’s 20-point peace plan, which was approved by the U.N., would give the Board of Peace a two-year, renewable mandate to reconstruct Gaza. The members of the Board of Peace have yet to be announced, though the panel was expected to be revealed sometime this year. Still, the announcement could be pushed to next month.

Phase two of the plan also involves the deployment of an international stabilizing force to oversee the security of Gaza after Hamas militants disarm. Hamas has been reluctant to fully give up its arsenal, however, and instead is interested in ‘freezing or storing’ its weapons while insisting their rights to bear arms. There are also questions about which nations will take the lion’s share of the security responsibilities. Both Israel and US forces will be involved, as will several other to-be-determined nations. Despite the progress, Israel has conducted lethal strikes within Gaza, complicating matters. Hamas has also been accused of violating the agreement after an improvised explosive device injured an Israeli soldier last week.

The meeting also comes after reports indicating top White House officials have lost confidence in Netanyahu. Vice President JD Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and White House Chief of Staff Susie Wiles have reportedly been ‘frustrated’ with Netanyahu, Axios reports. Trump, one White House insider claims, is one of the only major players who still likes’ the embattled prime minister.