Trump and Netanyahu to discuss Iran, Middle East peace

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday said the conflict with Iran would be the primary topic of his upcoming in-person meeting with President Donald Trump. The two leaders plan to meet in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday. Netanyahu said his goals were to increase Israeli security and power and to expand regional peace.

The meeting comes amid a lull in fighting between the United States and Iran. The U.S. military hasn’t bombed Iran since Thursday night, a pause officials said was intended to give space for indirect peace talks. Iran also stopped strikes on American forces, though it has continued to threaten ships in the Strait of Hormuz. Trump told reporters Monday that he and Netanyahu had slightly differing opinions on how to deal with Iran. Iranian leaders asked for the pause in strikes and wanted to negotiate, Trump said.

Netanyahu also said he would participate in a Tuesday memorial service for the late Sen. Lindsey Graham during his Washington visit. He called Graham one of Israel’s greatest friends. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is also among the dignitaries expected to attend the Tuesday service.

Dig deeper: Read Christina Grube’s report on increased U.S. sanctions against Iran’s sources of funding.