What to expect from Netanyahu's first meeting with Trump in Washington since US-Israeli war on Iran
Washington, DC — The last time Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the White House was on February 11, 2026, for a meeting with US President Donald Trump.
Seventeen days later, both the US and Israel joined forces to launch a war on Iran, with their initial strikes quickly killing the longtime supreme leader, Ali Khamenei, the defence minister, Revolutionary Guard commanders, and much of the other top brass as well as hundreds of civilians.
But Iran quickly hit back by exerting control over the Strait of Hormuz, the narrow passageway through which one-fifth of global oil once sailed, and it has since rained missiles and drones on US-allied Gulf countries, shattering the oil-rich countries’ hard-earned reputation for stability.
Amid tit-for-tat attacks, a tenuous, two-week ceasefire deal mediated by Pakistan was reached on April. 7, which was later extended by the US President. Israel was not included in the discussions.
On July 17, US and Iran signed a 14-point “Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding between the United States of America and the Islamic Republic of Iran”, witnessed by Pakistan.
The MoU outlined provisions to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, eased financial curbs on Iran, and established expectations for addressing Tehran’s nuclear programme in the future technical talks.
The US and Iran paused reciprocal strikes over the weekend following two weeks of daily US attacks and Iranian counter-strikes targeting US bases and regional allies — a development analysts told TRT World arose because both sides interpret the MoU differently.
Against this backdrop, Netanyahu will meet US President Trump at the White House on Tuesday for his first visit since war on Iran began, with Tehran topping the agenda.
Netanyahu departed Israel quietly on Monday from Nevatim Air Base, according to his office, which described the US trip as an official visit at Trump’s invitation.
He is scheduled to meet President Trump at 11:00 (local time) and return to Israel on Wednesday night, marking their eighth meeting of Trump’s second term — the most of any world leader.
Before departing, Netanyahu stated in a video that discussions would prioritise Iran, aiming to “safeguard our security and also to expand the circle of peace around us.”
Related
US-Iran pause strikes
During his visit, Netanyahu is expected to present Trump with a case against defiant Iran, its nuclear programme, ballistic missiles, and underground defence facilities, while seeking tighter coordination between the militaries of both the US and Israel.
The Trump-Netanyahu meeting coincides with a fragile pause in US-Iran fighting. The US halted strikes over the weekend, and Iran suspended retaliatory attacks on regional US-linked targets.
But key flashpoints persist, notably the status of the Strait of Hormuz, where competing claims over control and navigational access remain unresolved.
Iran has been stopping vessels attempting to transit the strait via routes it has not approved. Likewise, the US has been blocking ships navigating towards Iranian ports, imposing a double blockade on the strait.
Beyond Iran, the leaders are expected to discuss Israel’s war on besieged Gaza — including elements of Trump’s peace plan such as a potential multinational security force — as well as Lebanon, Saudi Arabia — including Riyadh’s possible nuclear deal with the US — Syria, Türkiye, and broader regional security and the US-Israel alliance.
