Trump downplays Iran threat ahead of Netanyahu meeting, eyes regional talks

Ahead of a significant meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, former U.S. President Donald Trump expressed frustration with Netanyahu over reported intelligence disclosures concerning Iran’s activities at Pickaxe Mountain. Trump downplayed the significance of Iran’s actions at the site, suggesting it was “not a big problem,” despite its potential as a nuclear-reconstitution target. The leaders are poised to address several issues, including the Israel-Lebanon security framework and the expansion of the Abraham Accords. This meeting comes amid ongoing discussions in Washington about the U.S. approach to Iran, balancing diplomacy with possible military action. The current prediction market pricing reflects a decrease in the perceived likelihood of imminent U.S.-Iran peace talks, with odds for a diplomatic meeting by July 31, 2026, dropping to 3% from 4% over the past 24 hours. This movement suggests that Trump’s remarks may have contributed to a sense of diminishing urgency for negotiations, as market participants weigh the implications of his stance. Meanwhile, the probability of Trump meeting Netanyahu by the end of July remains nearly certain, with odds holding st...