Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu departed for Washington on Monday aboard the official state aircraft "Wing of Zion", ahead of a scheduled high-level meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump and his attendance at the funeral service of the late Senator Lindsey Graham.
IRAN WAR AT CROSSROADS
Netanyahu to Meet Trump on Iran Strategy
Ahead of his White House summit, the Israeli Prime minister warned that "Iran’s nuclear program must come to an end, with or without a deal".
According to official scheduling, Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Trump are set to meet at the White House on Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. local time (6:00 p.m. IDT). Following the summit, Netanyahu will attend the funeral service for Senator Graham at 2:00 p.m. local time (9:00 p.m. IDT), honoring the longtime U.S. lawmaker and staunch ally of Israel.
Diplomatic Talks Amid Regional Ceasefire
The upcoming White House meeting occurs against the backdrop of a freeze in military operations against Iran and emerging reports regarding a potential return to diplomatic negotiations between Washington and Tehran.
Recent reports indicate that Pakistani mediators have submitted new proposal drafts to both sides in recent days. The proposed framework includes compromises on transit rights through the Strait of Hormuz, specifically establishing a middle route between the northern Iranian path and the southern Omani path, alongside the unfreezing of approximately $1.3 billion in Iranian assets currently held in Qatar.
Addressing the potential for renewed diplomatic engagement, U.S. Ambassador to the United Nations Mike Waltz stated over the weekend that "President Trump is granting diplomacy an opportunity with Iran before making decisions on further action, allowing a measure of space for discussions".
The Israeli Prime minister warned Ahead of his White House summit that "Iran’s nuclear program must come to an end, with or without a deal".
Tehran Reaffirms Stance on Hostilities
In Tehran, official reactions to the potential pause in conflict remain guarded. Iranian sources noted that while skepticism outweighs optimism regarding a permanent cessation of U.S. military action, Iran would cease its attacks if a formal freeze is maintained by Washington.
Speaking on Monday, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Esmail Baghaei confirmed that messages had been transmitted from the United States, though he emphasized that direct talks are not currently underway.
"We are not engaged in discussions with Washington at this moment", Baghaei stated". Tehran will not allow the United States to dictate the terms ending the conflict. National interests will strictly govern our determinations, and decisions are being made on a fully transparent basis".
