Washington, DC – US President Donald Trump will host Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Wednesday.The meeting is expected to see Israel press for a broader scope to be added to the ongoing negotiations with Iran,
including its missile program and its support for armed groups in the region, in addition to the nuclear issue.
This will be the seventh meeting between the two leaders in approximately 13 months since Trump returned to office.
The meeting follows a round of US-Iranian talks held in Oman last week.
The atmosphere of those talks was described as positive, with expectations that they will continue soon.
Limited nuclear agreement
According to informed sources, Israel fears that Washington will attempt to reach
a limited nuclear agreement that does not include restrictions on Iran’s ballistic missiles
or Tehran’s support for its regional allies, including Hamas and Hezbollah.
Trump has stated that any “good” agreement must mean “no nuclear weapons and no missiles.”
He has also hinted at the possibility of taking strong measures if diplomacy fails, including bolstering the US military presence near Iran.
For its part, Tehran announced its readiness to discuss restrictions on its nuclear program in exchange for lifting sanctions.
However, it emphasized that its missile capabilities are “non-negotiable.”
Ending the war and rebuilding the Gaza Strip
The Gaza issue also tops the meeting’s agenda, as the Trump administration seeks to advance
a ceasefire agreement and a 20-point plan to end the war and rebuild the Gaza Strip.
However, there are stumbling blocks on complex issues, most notably the disarmament of Hamas and the phased Israeli withdrawal.
Reports indicate that the option of military action may be discussed if the talks collapse.
In this context, Israel is concerned about Iranian efforts to rebuild
its military capabilities after the blows it suffered during the recent confrontations.
Despite the political rapprochement between Trump and Netanyahu,
the talks may reveal differences, particularly regarding the future of a Palestinian state.
Netanyahu rejects any path leading to its establishment, while Trump has declared his opposition to the annexation of the West Bank.
