Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressed relief for the safety of President Donald Trump, referring to him as "the best friend Israel has ever had in the White House," in response to a shooting incident near the White House. The shooting occurred on Saturday evening when a 21-year-old man, Nasire Best, attacked a Secret Service booth. Best was pronounced dead at a local hospital and had a history of previous encounters with the Secret Service.
Netanyahu condemned political violence and emphasized the need for security. The shooting incident follows a recent attempt on Trump's life at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner. Trump commented on the need for enhanced security measures for future presidents.
The shooting coincided with Trump's ongoing peace negotiations with Iran, which he stated were largely negotiated and involved discussions with several Middle Eastern leaders. Netanyahu did not comment on the specifics of the Iran deal in his public statement. An unnamed Israeli official indicated that Israel would maintain its freedom of action against threats and that the U.S. is updating Israel on negotiations regarding the Strait of Hormuz. The official also noted that Trump would not agree to a final deal without dismantling Iran's nuclear program and removing enriched uranium from its territory. Reports suggest that Iran has agreed to these terms.