President Donald Trump will host Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Wednesday, as tensions continue to rise across the Middle East and negotiations intensify over curbing Iran's nuclear weapons programme.
Netanyahu is expected to press Trump to pursue a deal that would halt Iran's uranium enrichment and rein in its support for proxy groups like Hamas and Hezbollah.
I will present to the president our outlook regarding the principles of these negotiations, Netanyahu told reporters before leaving for the US.
Iran has stated it will not limit uranium enrichment unless Western nations scale back sanctions that have severely strained its economy.
Netanyahu's visit marks his sixth trip to the US since Trump's return to office, indicating the strategic alignment between the two leaders. A long-time ally of Trump, Netanyahu argues that Iran poses an existential threat to Israel and pushes for stronger US action against Tehran’s influence in the region.
In a statement, Netanyahu's office emphasized that any negotiations must include limiting ballistic missiles and terminating support for destabilizing groups.
The visit comes amid the US decision to bolster its military presence in the Middle East, with Trump cautioning Tehran against ignoring the need for a nuclear deal. Trump noted a potential increase in US naval forces in the region in light of ongoing tensions.
Israeli officials have maintained that they reserve the right to take military action against Iran should negotiations fail to yield satisfactory results.
Experts assert that Netanyahu faces pressure from his right-wing government to leverage his ties with Trump to advocate for a comprehensive deal with Iran that addresses security concerns raised by Israel. Analysts suggest that while the Iranian leadership's current position appears weakened, Israel remains cautious about the nature of any deal that may emerge.
The discussions also coincide with ongoing efforts between Israel and Hamas, as both sides navigate the next phase of their complex ceasefire agreement following a historic conflict.
