Netanyahu Flies Secretly to Washington for Crucial Meeting with Trump on Iran

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu departed secretly from Nevatim Airbase on Monday afternoon for Washington, where he is scheduled to meet President Donald Trump at the White House on Tuesday at 18:00. The flight was conducted under unusual secrecy, with no prior public disclosure of the departure time, location, or expected arrival, deviating from Netanyahu's usual departure from Ben Gurion Airport. Netanyahu released a statement from the plane emphasizing the "complex times" and confirming that Iran would be the primary topic of discussion.

Ahead of the meeting, the Israeli Prime Minister's office instructed staff to maintain confidentiality about the flight details, with some personnel unavailable to avoid leaks. The original plan was for Netanyahu to depart in the morning and arrive in Washington at night, but the timing was adjusted. The Israeli delegation awaits confirmation from the U.S. administration on whether Vice President J.D. Vance and Secretary of State Marco Rubio will join the meeting or hold separate discussions.

The central focus of Netanyahu's talks with Trump will be Iran, amid ongoing efforts by the U.S., Qatar, and Oman to broker a deal regulating shipping through the Strait of Hormuz and preventing a broader conflict. Israeli officials fear any new agreement might enable Tehran to resume oil sales, ease sanctions, and inject billions into its economy. Netanyahu intends to present updated intelligence on Iran's attempts to rebuild its nuclear program, ballistic missile capabilities, and underground strategic assets. He will stress that Iran has not abandoned its nuclear ambitions and warn against accepting a temporary deal that allows Iran to recover.

Despite the hardline stance, Netanyahu aims to avoid giving the impression of pushing Trump toward immediate military action. Instead, he seeks alignment on future military and diplomatic steps, emphasizing Israel's goal to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons rather than initiating renewed strikes right away. Besides Iran, the leaders are expected to discuss the Gaza conflict and developments involving Saudi Arabia, Syria, Lebanon, and Turkey. Jerusalem views the direct meeting as vital for coordinating regional policy with the U.S. across multiple fronts.