Benjamin Netanyahu, the Israeli prime minister, said on the 22nd, local time, that he will discuss Iran and the next phase of the ceasefire in Gaza with President of Cyprus Donald Trump during his visit to the United States at the end of the month. Reuters said on the 23rd that Benjamin Netanyahu made the above statement at a joint press conference held in Jerusalem following a meeting with the Greek prime minister, Misotakis, and President of Cyprus, Khristozoulidis.
Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu
Benjamin Netanyahu mentioned in his speech that Israel has noticed that Iran has been conducting recent drills. Reuters reported that earlier on the 22nd, Iran held missile drills in multiple cities, the second such drills reported in the country in a month.
Benjamin Netanyahu is reportedly preparing for a meeting with Trump, the 6th between the two since the latter returned to the White House. The meeting is set to take place on 29th at the Sea Lake Estate in Florida, but Trump said on 18th that the meeting has not yet been officially confirmed.
Benjamin Netanyahu may once again raise the possibility of an attack on Iran at the lakeside estate, according to The Land. For months, analysts have been warning that Iran is rapidly building large numbers of missiles, suggesting that Israel may need to launch a new round of military strikes. Israel, which had previously focused on its nuclear program to destroy Iran, is now turning its attention to Iran‘s missile capabilities.
Benjamin Netanyahu may have said during his visit that the expansion of Iran‘s ballistic missile program would not only pose a threat to Israel but also jeopardize regional security and related U.S. interests, requiring rapid military action. The report said it was expected that Benjamin Netanyahu would also offer Trump the option of U.S. participation or assistance in this military operation.
The Land reported that there were few signs that Trump would support Israel‘s resumption of military operations against Iran. It would be a political disaster for the Republican Party if the United States supported Israel‘s renewed attack on Iran at the beginning of the United States midterm election cycle, a move that could also trigger boycotts from the “Make America Great Again” (MAGA) camp.
The United States and Israel are also divided on the next phase of the ceasefire in Gaza. The New York Times said that Trump now faces a severe choice: either restrain Israel or watch as this fragile strategic framework collapses under the pressure of Benjamin Netanyahu‘s gradual escalation, and the window to avoid a new round of hostilities is shrinking. (Liang Muzi)