By Newsmax Wires | Friday, 24 July 2026 12:12 PM EDT
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will travel to Washington on Monday at President Donald Trump’s invitation, setting up a high-stakes White House meeting as the administration weighs whether to expand military operations against Iran.
Netanyahu will meet with Trump at the White House on Tuesday during his first official visit to Washington since the Iran war began.
The Israeli leader also will attend the funeral of the late South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham, whom his office described as “a friend of Israel.”
The visit comes as Trump considers resuming major combat operations against Iran following Operation Epic Fury and amid continued concerns over Tehran’s nuclear ambitions and attacks on commercial shipping in the Strait of Hormuz.
According to Axios, Netanyahu has met with Trump six times since the president returned to office 18 months ago, more than any other world leader.
The latest meeting could prove pivotal as Trump weighs options that reportedly include a renewed joint U.S.-Israeli military campaign targeting Iran.
The timing has fueled speculation that Washington and Jerusalem are coordinating their next steps.
While some observers believe Netanyahu’s trip suggests no major escalation will occur before the meeting, Axios noted that previous announcements of senior-level visits have occasionally been used as part of deception efforts before military operations.
Trump told Axios on Thursday that he would meet Netanyahu if the prime minister traveled to Washington for Graham’s funeral.
Netanyahu had originally planned to visit the U.S. last week but postponed the trip after Graham’s funeral schedule changed.
According to Axios, the Israeli leader had sought an Oval Office meeting before one was formally arranged, though White House officials initially said no appointment had been finalized.
The meeting also comes at a politically sensitive moment. Axios reported that while Netanyahu remains one of Trump’s closest foreign allies, the Israeli prime minister has become increasingly unpopular among Democrats, some members of Trump’s inner circle, and portions of the MAGA movement over disagreements about the direction of the Middle East conflict.
The Jerusalem Post reported that Netanyahu’s office confirmed journalists will not be permitted to travel aboard the prime minister’s official aircraft, Wing of Zion, though media traveling independently may apply for credentials.
Beyond bilateral issues, the White House meeting is expected to focus on Iran’s regional aggression, security cooperation between the United States and Israel, the status of the Abraham Accords, and ongoing efforts to stabilize the Middle East as Tehran continues to reject terms for a broader diplomatic settlement.
