Netanyahu lands in Washington for Trump talks on Iran

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu landed in Washington on Monday ahead of a Tuesday meeting with President Donald Trump, their first face-to-face encounter in more than five months as the two allies navigate the aftermath of a U.S.-led military campaign against Iran and stalled peace negotiations.

A Secretive Departure

Netanyahu departed Israel under unusual circumstances, boarding the Wing of Zion aircraft at Nevatim Air Base in southern Israel rather than the customary Ben Gurion Airport. His office confirmed the departure only after the plane was airborne, and no journalists were permitted on the flight. According to Israel's Channel 12, the switch to a military base was driven by security concerns related to a potential Iranian threat. Netanyahu's cabinet meeting the day before had also been moved from his office to an undisclosed underground location.anews+2

"In these complex times one must act with both great determination and great wisdom," Netanyahu said in a Hebrew-language video released after takeoff. "We will discuss all the issues on the agenda, first and foremost Iran. Of course, our goal is to safeguard our security while also expanding the circle of peace around us."timesofisrael+1

Iran at the Center

The meeting, scheduled for Tuesday at 11 a.m. local time, comes during a fragile lull in the broader conflict with Iran. The Pentagon suspended its bombing campaign late Friday after 13 days of intensifying airstrikes, and Iran has held its fire in return.abcnews+1

According to the New York Post News Corp ↗ 2.42%, Netanyahu's delegation plans to present intelligence showing Iran is advancing nuclear work at a clandestine facility beneath Kolang Mountain near Natanz, where centrifuges have reportedly arrived for the first time since construction began in 2020. Israel also intends to argue that Tehran is not negotiating in good faith, the report said.nypost

Trump, meanwhile, has struck a more conciliatory tone. He told reporters there is a "good chance" a deal could be reached during the current lull in fighting and described "very friendly negotiations" with Iran. "We're having good talks, so we'll see what happens," he said.c-span+1

Beyond Tehran

Iran is not the only item on the agenda. The Israeli security cabinet voted Sunday to approve the limited entry of an international stabilization force into the Gaza Strip, signaling willingness to back Trump's 20-point plan for the territory, though Hamas's refusal to disarm and Israeli reservations about reconstruction have stalled progress. Saudi normalization and U.S.-brokered plans for southern Lebanon, where Lebanese army troops recently began deploying after Israeli withdrawals, are also expected to come up.timesofisrael

Netanyahu noted he would also attend a memorial service for the late Senator Lindsey Graham, whom he called "one of Israel's greatest friends of all time."timesofisrael