Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will make an official visit to Washington on Monday at the invitation of US President Donald Trump. The meeting at the White House on Tuesday will focus on Iran, Lebanon, Gaza, and bilateral relations.
A statement from the Israeli Prime Minister's Office said Netanyahu will meet with Trump at the White House on Tuesday and attend the funeral of Senator Lindsey Graham. The statement also announced that Israeli journalists will not be allowed on the prime minister's government plane, named "Wing of Zion," and that media outlets must make their own travel arrangements. The reason for this decision was not disclosed.
The visit comes amid escalating military tensions in the region. Washington has been carrying out daily airstrikes on Iran for more than two weeks, while Tehran claims to have targeted military facilities and equipment in Arab countries such as Bahrain, Jordan, and Kuwait that it says belong to the US.
In Israel, signals of preparations for a possible new escalation against Iran are increasing. The military alert level has been raised, and a series of statements from official and media sources are drawing attention.