US PRESIDENT Donald Trump expressed frustrations with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu today ahead of their first meeting since launching the Iran war.

The pair were expected to meet for the first time since the two leaders launched a joint attack on Iran, marking a chance for Mr Netanyahu to smooth out strains in their relationship.

Mr Trump revealed some tension ahead of the meeting, complaining about reports that the Israeli leader plans to discuss intelligence on Iranian activities at Pickaxe Mountain, a potential nuclear site the US president has repeatedly threatened to bomb.

“I know exactly what’s going on at Pickaxe,” Mr Trump said, insisting that whatever Iran is doing is “not a big problem” and that “Bibi’s telling me that because he wants me to stay involved.”

“Why do you have to announce to the world?” he said.

“We have a little difference,” Mr Trump said when asked if he and the Israeli prime minister were on the same page with Iran. “But pretty close, yeah.”

The two leaders also planned to discuss the framework agreement with Lebanon over the Israel-Hezbollah war and the expansion of the Abraham Accords, according to a White House official.

The meeting was expected to take place after the Morning Star went to print.

Meanwhile, mediators expressed hope for progress in pulling the US and Iran back to the negotiation table as the two sides maintained a pause in hostilities for a third day.

Middle East officials said Qatar and Pakistan are continuing to mediate to bridge the gap between Washington and Tehran.

Foreign ministers from Gulf Co-operation Council countries also held a video meeting on ongoing negotiations.

Oman’s Foreign Ministry said the talks stressed “the importance of intensifying co-ordination regarding freedom of navigation and its safety in the Strait of Hormuz, and prioritising political and diplomatic solutions that enhance regional security and stability.”

But Iran has warned any company or country that receives money from frozen Iranian assets will not be allowed to pass through the Strait of Hormuz.

Mr Trump earlier threatened that Iran’s assets would pay for any damage to ships in the waterway — a proposal Tehran called “incendiary.”

A spokesperson for Iran’s armed forces said: “All companies and countries that welcome Trump’s proposal and use Iran’s blocked assets” would be barred from the strait.

Mr Trump’s threat constitutes “illegal action,” he said.