Netanyahu to discuss Iran talks with Trump in Washington Wednesday

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will meet US President Donald Trump in Washington on Wednesday to “discuss with him the negotiations with Iran”, the premier’s office said.

Netanyahu “believes any negotiations must include limitations on ballistic missiles and a halting of the support for the Iranian axis”, his office said in a statement on Saturday, referring to Iran’s allies in the region.

Wednesday’s meeting will mark the sixth between the two leaders since Trump took office a year ago.

Iran and the US held negotiations in Oman on Friday, and Trump later said the talks would resume early next week.

Though both the United States and Israel are Iran’s arch-nemeses, Israel has taken a more hardline stance, opposing negotiations between Tehran and Washington.

Geopolitical analyst Michael Horowitz has argued that “Israel is pushing for a lasting weakening, or even the fall of the Iranian regime, with the option of additional strikes if necessary”.

Netanyahu said last month that Israel would strike back if attacked by Iran, threatening a “force Iran has never seen”.