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 U.S.
Iran has said it will not limit uranium enrichment unless Western nations scale back sanctions that have severely strained its economy.
Netanyahu's visit on Wednesday marks his sixth trip to the U.S. since Trump's return to office - more than any other world leader. A close Trump ally, Netanyahu has long argued that Iran represents an existential security threat to Israel and has pushed the U.S. to curb Tehran's influence in the region.
The Prime Minister believes that any negotiations must include limiting ballistic missiles and ending support for the Iranian axis, Netanyahu's office said in a statement ahead of his trip.
The visit comes as the U.S. increases its military presence in the Middle East, with Trump warning Tehran of action if it fails to strike a nuclear deal. On Tuesday, the president mentioned he was thinking about sending a second aircraft carrier strike group to the region.
The USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier was sent to the region last month after Trump threatened to strike Iran to stop a government crackdown on mass protests in which thousands of people were killed.
Israeli officials have also asserted their right to take military action against Iran if a nuclear agreement is not reached. Netanyahu is under pressure from his far-right government to leverage his rapport with Trump to advocate for a comprehensive U.S.-Iran deal that addresses Israeli security concerns.
Analysts believe the Iranian regime is currently in a weakened position after mass protests and a prior U.S.-Israel air campaign. Observers caution that Trump's eagerness for a deal might lead to concessions that overlook key issues, such as Iran's missile program and its support for hostile groups.
As the meeting unfolds, both leaders aim to address critical security challenges while navigating complex regional dynamics involving Iran's influence and conflicts involving Hamas.
