Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to meet US President Donald Trump at the White House on Tuesday, marking their first face-to-face encounter since the outbreak of the Iran war earlier this year.

The conflict, which started with coordinated US-Israeli strikes on Iran in late February, has been a central point of contention between the two leaders, who have publicly disagreed over its conduct. Despite occasional tensions, both have aimed to maintain a united front.

Netanyahu, departing Israel on Monday, emphasized the importance of the meeting: "This is a great privilege, but it is also a great responsibility. We will discuss all the issues on the agenda, first and foremost Iran. Naturally, our goal is to safeguard our security and also to expand the circle of peace around us."

Key Topics on the Agenda

  • Iran War: The conflict remains the dominant subject, with Washington seeking to explore negotiation opportunities despite renewed hostilities following the collapse of an April ceasefire.
  • US-Israel Relations: Experts suggest the visit aims to dispel perceptions of a rift between the allies, highlighting shared goals despite tactical disagreements on war strategy.
  • Lebanon-Israel Framework: The leaders are expected to discuss the challenges in implementing a US-brokered deal signed last month between Israel and Lebanon.
  • Gaza Reconstruction: Diplomatic efforts to rebuild the Palestinian territory remain stalled amid ongoing security concerns and humanitarian issues.

International relations analyst Yonatan Freeman from Hebrew University of Jerusalem notes that while Netanyahu and Trump differ on operational details such as timing and intensity, their overarching objectives align. Freeman also anticipates Trump will prioritize Iran and the expansion of the Abraham Accords—normalization agreements with several Arab states—over Gaza-related issues.

Netanyahu's visit occurs ahead of Israel's upcoming national elections, where he seeks another term amid criticism over his government's handling of last year's Hamas attacks and the resulting Gaza conflict.