US President Donald Trump has announced that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will visit the United States next week, as American forces continue
carrying out strikes on targets in Iran following the collapse of peace efforts between Washington and Tehran. Trump made the announcement during his address at the White House Correspondents' Association Dinner on Friday. The visit comes weeks after Trump and Netanyahu agreed to meet during a phone conversation in which the Israeli prime minister congratulated the US president on the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States. Netanyahu also praised the close relationship between the two countries. The meeting is set against the backdrop of renewed fighting between the United States, Israel and Iran after a ceasefire reached earlier this month under a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between Washington and Tehran broke down. Israel had opposed the agreement from the outset, while its continued military operations in Lebanon repeatedly threatened diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing regional tensions. Meanwhile, the Trump administration has been mediating separate negotiations between Israel and Lebanon to end hostilities. The talks do not involve Hezbollah. Both sides have accepted a proposal under which Israeli-controlled areas in southern Lebanon would eventually be transferred to the Lebanese military. However, little tangible progress has been reported since the proposal was accepted in March. During his meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun earlier this week, Trump did not indicate when Israeli forces would withdraw from the occupied areas. The developments come as the US military said its Central Command had completed a 13th consecutive night of strikes against targets in Iran. Iran has continued retaliatory attacks on US military assets across the region. Last week, an Iranian strike on a US military base in Jordan killed three American soldiers. The United States has also increased its military deployment in Israel, a move analysts say could indicate preparations for a broader regional conflict. Netanyahu's visit will also coincide with Israel's ongoing military campaign in Gaza. Despite a US-backed ceasefire announced last October, Israeli forces have continued issuing evacuation orders and carrying out frequent strikes across the territory.
