Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to meet U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on Tuesday morning, marking the eighth meeting between the two since Trump returned to office for his second term.
The meeting is set for 11 a.m. Washington time, according to Netanyahu's official schedule. Three hours later, Netanyahu is scheduled to attend a memorial service for the late Sen. Lindsey Graham. The prime minister plans additional meetings in Washington on Wednesday before returning to Israel that evening.
The visit comes as the two allies maintain strategic coordination, following recent tensions with Iran and discussions over regional matters.
Before departing from Israel's Nevatim Airbase on Monday, Netanyahu said he would discuss with Trump "all the issues on the agenda, first and foremost Iran."
"This is my eighth meeting with him since he was elected president for his second term - more than any other world leader," Netanyahu noted. He added that "our goal is to safeguard our security while also expanding the circle of peace around us" And that he was "embarking on this mission with one clear goal - to ensure the security, strength and future of our dear State of Israel."
Trump told Axios on Monday that he had paused U.S. Strikes on the Islamic Republic to allow negotiations another opportunity, but indicated military operations could resume if talks fail. "We are in very deep talks with Iran. If they don't work out, we will go back to very strong military action," He said. On the timeline for diplomacy, Trump stated: "Not much time. Either it goes fast or not at all."
Trump also told reporters aboard Air Force One on Monday that Iran's negotiators "want to meet and we're meeting," Adding, "There's a chance we could make a deal." He noted that Iran had requested a meeting "through their surrogates and directly."