Netanyahu Flies to US for Meeting with Trump on Iran and Peace Efforts

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu departed today from Nevatim Airbase in the Negev for a visit to the United States, ahead of his scheduled meeting tomorrow with President Donald Trump. The departure was unusual as Netanyahu did not provide any prior statement to the media. After leaving Israel, Netanyahu released a statement emphasizing that he will discuss all key issues with Trump, especially Iran. He said, "Our goal is to maintain our security and also to expand the circle of peace around us."

Netanyahu is also expected to attend the funeral of Senator Lindsey Graham, who passed away about two weeks ago. Netanyahu described Graham as "a true friend of Israel and one of its greatest supporters in history," adding that he believes he represents the Israeli public in paying tribute.

This upcoming meeting will be Netanyahu's eighth with Trump since the president began his second term. It comes amid ongoing active US military operations against Iran. The New York Times recently reported that Trump halted a large-scale strike on Iran after senior advisors warned of a shortage of interceptors. The article also noted that Trump expressed willingness to engage in talks with Hezbollah alongside the Lebanese president.