Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is departing today on a brief trip to Washington, with a meeting with President Donald Trump at its center. The discussion is expected to focus on the Iranian threat.
According to several sources, Netanyahu is not traveling to see Trump because of a crisis or a collapse in US positions, but rather out of a desire to ensure that "all levels of the administration hear Israel's position." He reached the conclusion that a direct conversation with Trump was necessary following meetings last week with the president's senior envoys, his son-in-law Jared Kushner and senior adviser Steve Witkoff.
The sources described the visit as a kind of "maintenance trip," intended to clarify Israel's positions directly to the president, against the backdrop of indirect talks that began Friday between the US and Iran.
In an official statement, the Prime Minister's Office said that "the prime minister believes any negotiations must include limits on ballistic missiles and an end to support for the Iranian axis."
Netanyahu's remarks came in response to statements by Trump suggesting that negotiations would focus, at Iran's demand, solely on uranium enrichment and not on other issues. However, according to officials, "there has been no change in the American position." That position was articulated last week by Secretary of State and National Security Adviser Marco Rubio.
Rubio said that for negotiations to "lead to something meaningful," they must include "the range of ballistic missiles, their support for terrorist organizations around the world, their nuclear program and their treatment of their own people." According to sources who have spoken in recent days with senior administration officials, the entire US leadership shares these views, even if it has not stated them publicly.
Over the weekend, Trump once again hosted Sen. Lindsey Graham for a round of golf and for watching the Super Bowl. Graham is known for his hawkish positions on Iran and has repeatedly spoken in favor of seizing what he sees as a historic opportunity to topple the ayatollahs' regime. On Sunday, however, Graham struck a more restrained tone, saying only that "as to any deal between Iran and the US, I hope it can meet our national security objectives and the needs of the people of Iran through diplomacy." In effect, Graham included Iran's internal situation among US national security objectives.
Outflanking Trump from the right
The senator also said that "I am open minded, understanding any agreement with the Islamic Republic and the United States must come to Congress for review and a vote." This final point also underscores the slim chances of Trump reaching an agreement, since the Democratic Party is expected to oppose any deal he submits for approval. Many hawkish Republicans, including Graham, would likely join them.
On the sidelines of the prime minister's trip, the incoming commander of the Israeli Air Force, Brig. Gen. Omer Tischler, will not be joining the delegation, despite earlier plans. Representing Israel's security establishment will be the prime minister's military secretary, Maj. Gen. Roman Gofman.
Ultimately, if there are people who truly know Trump's plans, they are few. In both Israel and Washington, rumors are swirling about preparations and scenarios, misdirection and timelines. Trump is keeping his cards close to his chest. His limited public remarks, and even more so those of other senior administration officials, are only deepening the fog. One can only hope that the president and his team do not lose their way within it.
