Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu announced on Monday, before departing for Washington, that Iran would be the main focus of his upcoming discussions with U.S. President Donald Trump.
The manner of Netanyahu’s departure from Israel attracted media attention. Departing from standard procedure, he took off from Nevatim Air Force Base rather than Ben Gurion Airport. While the Prime Minister’s Office did not explain the decision, Israel’s Channel 12 reported that the move was made due to security considerations and potential threats from Iran.
In a video message released alongside his wife, Sara, Netanyahu stated: “In these complex times, one must act with both great determination and great wisdom.” He added that all key issues would be discussed during his meeting with Trump, but that Iran remained at the top of the agenda. According to him, the objective of the talks is to safeguard Israel’s security while expanding the normalization process with regional nations.
The Israeli Prime Minister further noted that he was travelling to the U.S. with a clear objective: “To ensure the security, strength, and future” of his country.
Netanyahu is scheduled to meet Trump on Tuesday, local time, in their first in-person meeting in more than five months. During his trip, he will also attend a memorial service for the late Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, a prominent supporter of Israel whom Netanyahu described as “one of Israel’s greatest friends.”
