Fearing Iran deal, Netanyahu races to US to sway Trump, sidestep Witkoff
Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu is flying to Washington to persuade President Donald Trump not to forget Iran's ballistic missile project and its proxies in the talks with Tehran.
TEL AVIV — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu headed to Washington on Tuesday amid Israeli concerns that US President Donald Trump might accept a deal allowing Iran to continue its ballistic missile program and support for regional proxies within striking distance of Israel.
A senior Israeli diplomatic source told Al-Monitor on condition of anonymity that Netanyahu wants to ensure that Trump "knows everything firsthand."
In a last-minute decision, Netanyahu canceled Israeli Air Force Commander Brig. Gen. Omer Tischler’s participation in the talks. Reports that Tischler would join the US trip sparked speculation that the meeting, hastily requested by Netanyahu, was intended to coordinate plans for a US strike on Iran. Ynet reported on Tuesday that Tischler was left behind to avert accusations of Israeli warmongering.
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