Israeli reports said aides feared Netanyahu would press Trump on Iran, while Vance’s office and the White House denied trying to block the meeting.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu canceled his planned Washington trip, citing scheduling complications around Sen. Lindsey Graham's rescheduled funeral and a planned Trump meeting that never materialized.
Vice President Vance alleged on July 15 that Israeli-linked interests are 'manipulating and trying to change American public opinion to keep the war going on indefinitely,' stoking tensions over Iran policy within the administration.
A Ynet report citing senior Israeli officials claims some administration figures fear Netanyahu would use a meeting with President Donald Trump to press for a tougher Iran policy, prompting attempts to delay the summit.
Administration envoy Ari Lightstone is expected to meet Netanyahu to discuss timing for a White House visit, though no meeting has been finalized and the White House has not publicly responded to the blockade claims.
Senior Israeli officials insist the relationship between Trump and Netanyahu remains stronger than public reports suggest, describing friction accounts as overstated even as diplomatic scheduling remains uncertain.