Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to meet U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington, marking their first face-to-face discussion since February, as tensions with Iran appear to ease. The meeting, which will be Netanyahu’s eighth since Trump’s return to office, comes amid reports that the U.S.-Iran conflict has paused, with Trump giving space for diplomatic talks to resolve the Strait of Hormuz standoff (arabnews.pk).
Netanyahu, who departed from an Israeli Air Force base near Beersheba instead of Tel Aviv’s main airport, is expected to emphasize Iran as the top priority during the talks. He has warned Trump that Iran requires “constant, constant watch” (nypost.com). Meanwhile, Iran has reiterated its control over the Strait of Hormuz and stated it is not seeking dialogue, despite Trump’s efforts to de-escalate the situation (independent.ie).
The meeting also coincides with Netanyahu’s final tribute to late Senator Lindsey Graham, with both he and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arriving in Washington to influence Trump’s policy decisions on regional conflicts (theguardian.com). As the U.S. and Iran attempt to avoid further escalation, the outcome of these talks could shape the future of Middle East tensions.
