Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to meet with US President Donald Trump this week in Washington to discuss potential military strategies regarding Iran. As the possibility of US-Iran negotiations hangs in the balance, Israel aims to secure its interests and maintain the autonomy of its military actions amidst any potential agreements.
Israel’s confidence in the ongoing discussions between the US and Iran is low, with officials advocating for measures that protect Israel’s national security – including the freedom to respond militarily if necessary.
Netanyahu plans to provide Trump with updated intelligence regarding Iran’s military capabilities.
“Israel is concerned about Iran’s advancements in restoring its ballistic missile capabilities and stockpiles to pre-war levels,” one source noted, adding that it is estimated Iran could amass 1,800-2,000 ballistic missiles in a matter of weeks or months without intervention.
CNN has not been able to authenticate these claims. Iranian officials, on their part, have consistently stated that while they do not seek conflict, they are fully prepared for it.
As he left for Washington, Netanyahu emphasized that Iran represents a top priority on his agenda for the meeting with Trump, which marks their seventh discussion since Trump began his second term.
“We’ll be addressing a variety of topics: Gaza, regional dynamics, but Iran negotiations will be at the forefront,” said Netanyahu as he prepared to leave. “I will share our perspectives regarding essential negotiation principles that are vital not just for Israel, but for global peace and security in the Middle East.”
This upcoming meeting follows a series of significant interactions in recent weeks. Israel Defense Forces (IDF) Chief of Staff Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir and Intelligence Division head Maj. Gen. Shlomi Binder visited the Pentagon last month, while presidential envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner met with Netanyahu and high-ranking security officials in Jerusalem last week.
Israel has been urging the US to ensure that any agreement with Iran entails Tehran relinquishing its stockpile of enriched uranium, ceasing enrichment activities entirely, placing restrictions on its ballistic missile program, and halting support for regional proxy forces. These stipulations align with earlier US demands for broader discussions on Iran’s military infrastructure and regional involvement.
Conversely, Iran has made it clear that its focus will solely be on the nuclear issue. Over the weekend, Trump indicated that he might accept an agreement that does not address the broader concerns. When asked whether a deal limited to nuclear matters would be acceptable, he stated, “Yeah, that would be acceptable, but upfront, no nuclear weapons.”
Netanyahu’s worst-case scenario involves a narrow nuclear agreement in which the US only insists on restrictions on uranium enrichment. Danny Citrinowicz, an expert on Iran at Israel’s Institute for National Security Studies, articulated in Israel Hayom that Netanyahu perceives either the military defeat of Iran via US intervention or an extensive agreement that effectively weakens the regime’s self-defense capabilities as his top preferences.
Netanyahu has criticized the 2015 Iran nuclear deal—the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), established under former President Barack Obama—expressing concerns that it left significant aspects of Iran’s military capabilities intact and permitted uranium enrichment limits to expire after 15 years. Such vocal opposition would be challenging to maintain if Trump were to endorse a similar agreement that allowed domestic uranium enrichment while placing limitations on weaponization.
In June, Israel’s unanticipated attack on Iran’s military and nuclear installations disrupted a series of stalled talks between the US and Iran. The 12-day conflict concluded with Trump requesting that Netanyahu refrain from launching further strikes.
Initially, Netanyahu’s trip to Washington was planned for February 18, just before a meeting of the Board of Peace. However, the meeting was advanced at Netanyahu’s request, leaving uncertain whether he will attend the Board of Peace convention, which aims to discuss furthering the Gaza ceasefire. Last month, Netanyahu did not participate in the inaugural meeting of Trump’s Board of Peace in Davos.
Trump has been advocating for advancing the Gaza ceasefire into its next phase, with the establishment of a board and a Palestinian technocratic committee assigned to oversee Gaza. Following the recovery of the last Israeli hostage in January, Israel reopened the Rafah crossing last week to allow limited movement between Gaza and Egypt. Nevertheless, Netanyahu continues to assert that Hamas must disarm prior to any reconstruction efforts in Gaza.
Key Takeaways
- Netanyahu aims to discuss military options regarding Iran with Trump during his visit.
- Israel is skeptical about the success of US-Iran negotiations.
- New intelligence on Iran’s military capabilities will be presented to Trump.
- Israel seeks to secure its interests and maintain freedom of military action.
- Negotiations are expected to cover nuclear issues and Iran’s regional activities.
FAQ
What is the primary focus of Netanyahu’s upcoming meeting with Trump?
The focus will be on Iran and its military capabilities, alongside regional security issues.
Why is Israel concerned about Iran’s missile capabilities?
Israel fears that Iran could quickly rebuild its ballistic missile stockpile, potentially reaching up to 2,000 missiles.
What does Israel want from the US regarding Iran?
Israel wants the US to ensure that any agreement with Iran includes strict limits on uranium enrichment and ballistic missile programs.
How does Iran view the negotiations?
Iran maintains that it will only discuss nuclear matters and is not inclined to address broader military issues.
