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 not only halt Iran’s uranium enrichment, but also cut its ballistic missile programme and support for proxy groups like Hamas and Hezbollah.
“I will present to the president our outlook regarding the principles of these negotiations,” he said before leaving for the US.
Iran has suggested it is ready to limit its nuclear programme in return for sanctions relief, but it has rejected the other demands.
Ahead of the White House meeting, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian warned that his country would “not yield to their excessive demands”.
Netanyahu’s visit on Wednesday marks his sixth trip to the US 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 US 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.
By Anthony Solly
