Axios: Trump, Netanyahu in crunch talks as Israel pushes for action on Iran Military Plans on Table

On February 4, US President Donald Trump is set to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, marking the first visit by a foreign leader since Trump’s return to office. The meeting, described by Trump as a "very big" discussion, is expected to focus on key regional issues, including Iran’s nuclear ambitions, the ongoing conflict in Gaza, and the prospect of normalizing relations between Israel and Saudi Arabia.

A major point of discussion will be Iran, with Netanyahu seeking assurances that the US will provide Israel with the necessary military capabilities to strike Tehran’s nuclear facilities if diplomatic efforts fail, Caliber.Az reports via Axios.

Trump, on the other hand, has expressed interest in negotiating a deal with Iran that could render Israeli military action unnecessary.

Moreover, the leaders are also expected to address the ongoing efforts to secure a ceasefire and hostage release agreement between Israel and Hamas. The conflict, which erupted on 7 October 2023, began when Hamas launched an attack on Israel, killing 1,200 people and taking 251 hostages. In response, Israel initiated an air and ground assault on Gaza, resulting in over 47,000 Palestinian deaths, according to local officials, and displacing hundreds of thousands. While Netanyahu has defended Israel’s actions despite growing international condemnation, he insists that his government remains committed to defeating Hamas and ensuring Israel’s security.

Trump has previously stated that he wants Jordan and Egypt to accept more Palestinian refugees as part of a broader plan for Gaza, an idea that has drawn criticism from regional leaders.

Another key issue on the agenda will be the potential normalization of ties between Israel and Saudi Arabia. Both Trump and Netanyahu view a peace deal between the two nations as a historic diplomatic breakthrough.

The meeting also carries political significance for both leaders, who were once close allies but saw their relationship strain after Netanyahu swiftly acknowledged Joe Biden’s victory in the 2020 US presidential election, despite Trump’s efforts to contest the results.

By Aghakazim Guliyev