Netanyahu's US Visit Signals Discussion On Potential Iran Strikes With Trump As Talks Resume

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived in the United States on Tuesday ahead of his meeting with US President Donald Trump in the White House on Wednesday. The meeting aims to discuss potential military actions against Iran with Trump, as Israel prepares contingency plans in case US-Iran negotiations fail, according to two Israeli sources.

This will be the seventh meeting between the two leaders since the start of Trump’s second term.

White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced that the US President will meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the discussion between the two nations is expected to focus on energy issues and deregulation.

During a press briefing, Leavitt said, “The President will host Israeli

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for a bilateral meeting. The remainder of the week will be focused on energy and deregulation.”

Before heading to Washington, Netanyahu said he planned to convey Israel’s position on US nuclear talks with Tehran during the meeting, The Times of Israel reported.

Israel remains skeptical that nascent negotiations between the US and Iran will succeed, one of the sources said, but is pressing to ensure its interests are protected – as well as to preserve Israel’s freedom of military action under any potential agreement.

Meanwhile, it is reported that Netanyahu plans to present Trump with fresh intelligence on Iran’s military capabilities, CNN reported, citing one of the sources.

Before departing for Washington, Netanyahu said Iran is the “first and foremost” issue on the agenda for his meeting with Trump on Wednesday.

“On this trip, we will discuss a series of issues: Gaza, the region, but first and foremost, the negotiations with Iran,” Netanyahu said before he boarded his aircraft. “I will present the President with our views regarding the essential principles of the negotiations – principles that, in our eyes, are vital not only for Israel but for anyone in the world who desires peace and security in the Middle East.”

(With agency inputs)