Netanyahu Rushes to Washington for Crucial Talks with Trump on Iran Strategy
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to visit Washington on Wednesday for a high-stakes meeting with President Donald Trump, aimed at discussing the scope of US-Iran diplomacy. This urgent trip comes as Trump's focus on Tehran's nuclear program diverges from Netanyahu's push for more comprehensive measures against Iran's regional activities.
Diverging Priorities in US-Iran Negotiations
The indirect negotiations between the US and Iran, initiated in Oman, follow Trump's deployment of additional US forces to the Persian Gulf in response to Iran's harsh crackdown on domestic protests. Initially, the White House hinted at punitive actions that could destabilize the Iranian regime in support of dissidents, but this has since narrowed to concentrate on the longstanding nuclear issue.
Israel, bolstered by US support, conducted airstrikes on Iran's uranium enrichment facilities during a 12-day conflict in June. Netanyahu's government advocates for further actions to prevent Iran from developing nuclear weapons. However, the prime minister also views the current crisis as an opportunity to address Iran's conventional military capabilities and its proxy networks across the Middle East.
Key Demands and Diplomatic Moves
In a statement released on Saturday, Netanyahu's office emphasized that any negotiations should include restrictions on Iran's ballistic missile program and an end to its support for proxy groups. "The prime minister believes that any negotiations should include placing limitations on the ballistic missiles and a cessation of support for the Iranian axis," the statement read, announcing the February 11 meeting with Trump.
Contrastingly, after US envoys met with Iran's foreign minister in Oman on Friday, Trump told reporters that a deal focusing solely on nuclear issues "would be acceptable." This highlights the potential gap in priorities between the two allies as they navigate the complex diplomatic landscape.
Urgency and Uncertainty Surrounding the Visit
Details of Netanyahu's upcoming trip were still pending as of Sunday, indicating that it was organized on short notice. This urgency underscores the critical nature of the discussions. Trump is scheduled to convene his "Board of Peace" on February 19 to discuss funding for post-war Gaza, but it remains unclear whether Netanyahu will return to Washington for that meeting.
In his remarks on Friday, Trump described the first round of indirect talks with Iran as "very good" and announced that another meeting would take place in the coming days. He noted, "Iran looks like it wants to make a deal very badly. We have to see what that deal is but I think Iran looks like they want to make a deal very badly, as they should."
Regional Threats and Security Concerns
Iran's launch of hundreds of ballistic missiles at Israel in June has heightened security concerns, with Israel viewing these long-range conventional attacks as a significant threat capable of overwhelming its air defenses. Additionally, Israel remains wary of the combat capabilities maintained by Iran's regional allies, including Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and the Houthi rebels in Yemen.
This meeting between Netanyahu and Trump is poised to shape the future of Middle East diplomacy, balancing nuclear non-proliferation efforts with broader regional stability initiatives.
