IDF soldiers on Israel’s border with Syria, September 9, 2025. (credit: MARC ISRAEL SELLEM)<\/p>\n
The maps, the source said, showed that Turkey controls about 5% of Syrian territory, while Israel controls only about 0.1%. Netanyahu argued that Israel’s presence is intended to counter threats from Iran, Hezbollah, Palestinian Islamic Jihad, and other terrorist organizations.<\/p>\n
“Sometimes the president has certain assumptions, and if you don’t change them, they become fixed,” the source said, explaining that this was one of the reasons Netanyahu chose to present the information visually.<\/p>\n
Although Syria<\/a> was discussed, the source said it served primarily as an introduction to the central topic of the meeting: Iran. Most of the conversation focused on how to address the Islamic Republic following the significant blow to its nuclear program.<\/p>\n Trump is currently weighing three possible courses of action, the source said: pursuing a new agreement, maintaining and intensifying economic pressure and sanctions, or escalating military action.<\/p>\n “This was not a meeting where we came to check a box,” the source said. “It was a genuine consultation in which each of the options was examined on its merits.”<\/p>\n Describing Iran’s current situation, the source argued that the regime is under mounting economic pressure, citing shortages of gas and fuel, long lines at gas stations, severe inflation, and local protests. Tehran’s greatest concern, according to the source, is an economic collapse that could trigger widespread public unrest.<\/p>\n The source added that if Iran attacks Israel, as it is currently doing against neighboring countries and Jordan, Israel will respond directly.<\/p>\n Additionally, while discussing the possibility of pursuing an agreement with Iran’s leader, the source confirmed the Mojtaba Khamenei, while absent from the spotlight, is alive.<\/p>\n \u201cHe is essentially completely absent, but he exists,\u201d the source said.<\/p>\n Israel’s financial independence from the US<\/strong><\/p>\n The source also shared that Netanyahu plans to spearhead the effort toward Israel\u2019s financial independence and independent weapons production, with the goal of moving beyond financial aid in 10 years’ time.<\/p>\n \u201cIsrael is grateful for every cent, but the state wants to move from assistance to partnership,\u201d the source said<\/p>\n Within that framework, the source said, there are two existing components: Foreign Military Financing (FMF) and ballistic missile defense (BMD). FMF is essentially a system of providing funds for purchases, while BMD should evolve from conventional assistance into a true partnership. A third component would involve genuine joint development projects designed to meet the defense needs of both countries.<\/p>\n Netanyahu pushed for private meeting with Vance at Blair house<\/strong><\/p>\n