In a move that’s already rattling diplomatic circles, Israel’s Benjamin Netanyahu has departed for Washington aboard the ‘Wing of Zion’ to confer with US President Donald Trump. The prime minister made it clear at Ben Gurion Airport: he’s there to lay out Israel’s red lines on the budding US-Iran dialogue.
“I’ll present our ideology on these ongoing negotiations directly to the president,” Netanyahu told journalists. He framed his views as vital safeguards for global stability, extending beyond Israel’s borders to any country prioritizing peace.
Talks between the two leaders will cover Gaza tensions and other hot-button topics, reinforcing what Netanyahu calls an ‘unparalleled intimacy’ in Israel-US ties and his own bond with Trump.
Tehran’s response was swift and scathing. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ismail Baghaei branded the visit a ‘dangerous’ threat to diplomacy, urging Washington to ignore Israeli meddling.
“America must operate free from regional pressures,” Baghaei insisted in a briefing. He portrayed Israel as a consistent wrecker of peace initiatives in the Middle East.
This comes amid optimism from recent Oman talks between US and Iranian officials, where positives were noted despite Iran’s refusal to budge on missiles or proxy support. Tehran’s tease of enriched uranium concessions hangs in the balance.
Netanyahu’s arrival in the US could tip the scales. As Iran watches warily, the trip highlights deepening rifts in Middle East power plays, where every meeting carries weighty implications for future negotiations and regional security.