SerpApi.Org
The White House and the Israeli prime minister's office are discussing a potential Oval Office meeting between President Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu next week, but no meeting has been set yet, a White House official and an Israeli source familiar with the issue told Axios.
Why it matters: Trump is considering resuming major combat operations in Iran that would likely include a joint military campaign with Israel similar to the launch of operation Epic Fury on February 28. A meeting with Netanyahu could be significant for Trump's decision-making and for coordination between the countries.
- Netanyahu has visited the Oval Office six times since Trump returned to office a year and a half ago — more than any other world leader. But Netanyahu is deeply unpopular in Washington these days, both among Democrats and within Trump's close circle and the MAGA base.
Driving the news: Netanyahu last week asked to meet with Trump but didn't get an appointment. He then said he decided to postpone his trip to Washington because the late Sen. Lindsey Graham's wake had been postponed.
- Netanyahu is now planning to travel to Washington to attend Graham's funeral ceremonies on Capitol Hill and at the National Cathedral on Tuesday.
- The Israeli prime minister's office and the Israeli embassy in Washington declined to comment.
The big picture: Trump is nearing a crossroads in the Iran war, with U.S. and Israeli officials envisioning only two viable endgames:
- One is to accept a new ceasefire proposal presented by Qatari mediators aimed at reopening the Strait of Hormuz.
- The other is to launch a massive joint military campaign with Israel to force Tehran's capitulation.
- Israeli officials say they are preparing for a possible expansion of the war into a full-scale, coordinated campaign within days. But they stressed Israel will join the war only if it is attacked by Iran or if the U.S. asks it to participate.
