Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu boarded a flight to Washington on Monday, stating that Iran would be the central topic when he sits down with President Donald Trump. The meeting is taking place during a lull in hostilities between the United States and Iran.
Before departing Israel, Netanyahu addressed the upcoming discussions in a Hebrew-language video statement, making clear that Tehran would dominate the conversation alongside other matters in the region.
“In these complex times one must act with both great determination and great wisdom,” he said. “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.”
He added: “I am embarking on this mission with one clear objective — to ensure the security, strength, and future of our beloved State of Israel.”
Netanyahu also mentioned plans to pay his respects to the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, whom he called “one of Israel’s greatest friends of all time.”
His office told The Times of Israel that the flight took off for Washington, D.C., just before 1 p.m. Monday, running roughly two hours behind schedule. The plane had originally been set to depart at 11 a.m.
The trip comes as U.S. military strikes against Iran remain on hold after a two-week period of nightly operations. President Trump described the United States as “locked and loaded” but said strikes have been suspended. He also indicated that peace negotiations were making progress, pointing to what he called “major points of agreement.”
When Iranian officials pushed back and denied that any such negotiations were underway, President Trump brushed off their comments as “fake news” and suggested Iran needs “better public relations people.”
Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baghei stated that the United States played no role in separate discussions Iran held with Oman and Pakistan regarding the management of the Strait of Hormuz.
“These talks have no connection with the United States. They are a bilateral matter between Iran and Oman, and they are continuing,” Baghei said.
