Trump and Netanyahu meet at White House with Iran war topping agenda

The talks take place against a backdrop of military strain. The death toll among U.S. forces has reached 18 after four additional soldiers were killed in recent days, according to NBC News. The Defense Department has requested $67 billion in supplemental congressional funding to expand weapons production. After Trump called off the two-week U.S. bombing campaign over the weekend, Tehran announced it would hold its own fire during the American pause, according to Reuters.

Both leaders face domestic political pressures heading into elections. Heading into Israel's October 27 election, Netanyahu is behind in the polls at home, while Trump confronts his own electoral test in the form of U.S. midterm elections this November, according to The New York Times. The joint campaign has so far left the core objectives — dismantling Iran's nuclear program and removing its clerical leadership from power — out of reach for both governments, The Times reported.