Trump, Netanyahu speak by phone, reaffirm Middle East security cooperation

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and US President Donald Trump spoke by phone Thursday to discuss Middle East security issues and agreed to continue bilateral coordination, the Israeli Prime Minister's Office said, amid renewed armed conflict between the United States and Iran.

In a statement, the Prime Minister's Office said Trump briefed Netanyahu on the latest developments in US military operations under way in the Gulf.

Netanyahu stressed the need to maintain the buffer zone Israel has established along the Lebanese border.

He also reiterated concerns about hostile remarks by Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, who has been sharply criticizing Israel on the international stage, the Prime Minister's Office said.