Netanyahu to Meet Trump Amid Escalating U.S.–Iran Conflict

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to travel to Washington next week for a face-to-face meeting with President Donald Trump at the White House. The visit will also include attendance at the funeral of the late Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC), a longtime advocate of a hard line against Tehran. Netanyahu’s office confirmed the itinerary, noting that the meeting will be the first direct encounter between the two leaders since the conflict with Iran began in late February.

The Hill

The meeting occurs as the United States and Iran exchange tit-for-tat strikes following the collapse of a fragile ceasefire in the Strait of Hormuz. U.S. Central Command reported its thirteenth consecutive day of strikes on Iranian military targets, which it says are intended to protect commercial shipping. The fighting has raised concerns about a broader regional war, driven by a rising American death toll, higher global fuel prices, and attacks by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea.

The Hill

President Trump is reportedly weighing additional military options, while Republican defense hawks on Capitol Hill are urging the Pentagon to broaden its strategy against Tehran. Secretary of State Marco Rubio defended the administration’s actions, arguing that the campaign is aimed at safeguarding U.S. forces and deterring further Iranian aggression. Netanyahu, speaking on NBC’s “Meet the Press,” recalled a conversation with the late Graham in which the senator urged Israel to “knock out” Iran’s nuclear program.

The Hill

The Washington meeting underscores the intertwining of U.S.-Israeli diplomatic coordination and the broader struggle over Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Continued strikes and diplomatic pressure could further entrench the conflict, while domestic criticism highlights growing political friction over the United States’ involvement in the region.

The Hill