The Israeli prime minister is expected to raise concerns that Tehran is secretly advancing its weapons capabilities and could use funds released under a U.S.-Iran agreement to support military programs and regional proxies.
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to present President Donald Trump with intelligence concerning Iran’s alleged covert nuclear and ballistic missile activities when the two leaders meet Tuesday at the White House.
The July 28 meeting will be their first face-to-face discussion since the war with Iran began in February and their eighth in-person meeting since Trump returned to office.
Senior Israeli officials told Epoch Magazine Israel that the talks could help shape the next stage of the conflict. Netanyahu reportedly intends to show Trump intelligence indicating that Tehran has continued secretly advancing its nuclear and ballistic missile programs.
The Israeli officials also expressed concern that funds released under a memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran could be directed toward further nuclear and missile development or used to finance Iranian-backed organizations throughout the region.
Netanyahu is expected to raise those concerns cautiously to avoid appearing to pressure Trump into restarting military operations, according to the officials. The meeting will give the Israeli government an opportunity to present its position directly without turning policy disagreements between the two allies into a public confrontation.
A White House official told The Epoch Times on July 27 that Trump will “discuss the conflict in Iran, progress with the Trilateral Framework in Lebanon, and expanding the Abraham Accords” during the meeting.
Iran will be the leading issue, but the two leaders are also expected to discuss developments in Syria, Lebanon, the Gaza Strip and the West Bank, according to Israeli officials.
“In our meeting, we will discuss all the issues on the table, with Iran at the forefront,” Netanyahu wrote in a social media post July 27.
“Our goal is clear: to safeguard Israel’s security, strengthen its power, and expand the circle of peace around us.”
Netanyahu offered a similar preview in a video message Monday, saying Israel must combine resolve with careful decision-making as regional conditions continue to change.
“From my experience as prime minister, during these complex times we must act with both great determination and great wisdom,” he said. “We will discuss all the issues on the agenda, first and foremost, Iran.”
Tuesday’s meeting follows a weekend pause in U.S. military strikes against Iran. American forces had targeted Iranian military assets for 13 consecutive days before the Trump administration suspended the operations to provide an opening for negotiations with Tehran.
The White House has presented the pause as an opportunity for diplomacy, while Israeli officials remain concerned that Iran could use negotiations and financial relief to rebuild its nuclear, missile and proxy capabilities.
Israel took several steps before Netanyahu’s visit to demonstrate progress on commitments made to the Trump administration, according to Israeli officials.
Earlier this week, the Israeli government announced that it would permit an international security force to deploy in the Gaza Strip as part of a U.S. plan intended to end the fighting. Israel’s security cabinet approved the move.
Israel also began redeploying some of its forces in southern Lebanon on July 21. The action followed understandings reached with the Lebanese government through American mediation and forms part of a plan to establish so-called pilot zones.
The White House said the leaders will review progress involving the Trilateral Framework in Lebanon, an initiative tied to security arrangements and efforts to stabilize the area.
Expansion of the Abraham Accords will also be discussed. The agreements established formal relations between Israel and several Arab countries during Trump’s first administration, and both governments have expressed interest in adding more nations.
The Iran talks come at a pivotal point following months of military operations and negotiations. Israeli officials view Tehran’s nuclear and ballistic missile capabilities as an enduring threat, while Trump has sought to create room for a negotiated settlement after the latest round of U.S. strikes.
Netanyahu’s presentation is expected to focus on intelligence that Israel says demonstrates continued Iranian activity despite military pressure and diplomatic agreements. The claims have not been independently detailed publicly and are being attributed to senior Israeli officials familiar with the planned meeting.
The Israeli prime minister’s visit will also include participation in memorial events for the late Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., who died unexpectedly July 11 at age 71.
Netanyahu described Graham as “one of Israel’s greatest friends of all time” and said he would pay his respects during the trip.
Graham was a prominent supporter of Israel and a leading advocate of a forceful U.S. response to Iran’s nuclear and regional activities. Trump, Netanyahu and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy are among those attending his funeral services in Washington.
The White House meeting places Iran at the center of another high-level discussion between Trump and Netanyahu, with Israel seeking assurances that negotiations will not enable Tehran to restore the military capabilities damaged during the war.
Netanyahu is expected to argue that any diplomatic arrangement must prevent Iran from secretly rebuilding its nuclear and missile infrastructure, while avoiding a direct public call for Trump to resume military action.
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