Netanyahu Advances US Trip Amid Concerns Over Potential Iran Talks

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has rescheduled his planned trip to the United States, moving it forward from February 18 to February 10. According to Hasht-e Subh, this haste stems primarily from Netanyahu's deep concerns regarding the potential resumption of US-Iran negotiations, particularly fears that talks in Muscat might be limited solely to Iran's nuclear file.

US President Donald Trump has expressed support for an agreement focused exclusively on the nuclear issue, a position aligned with Iran's stated interests but unacceptable to Israel. Netanyahu's demands include reducing Iran's missile range to prevent strikes from reaching Israel, completely severing Tehran's support for regional proxy groups known as the 'axis of resistance,' fully dismantling Iran's nuclear industry, granting unrestricted access to International Atomic Energy Agency inspectors, and transferring Iran's enriched uranium stockpiles abroad to a country closely aligned with the US and Israel.

While Trump shares some sympathies, his priorities differ, prioritizing nuclear containment above missile capabilities and regional presence, though both leaders agree on zeroing out uranium enrichment and removing stockpiles from Iran. Netanyahu aims to persuade Trump on Israel's broader agenda, potentially presenting documents on Iran's nuclear or missile activities or leveraging pro-Israel lobbies.

The urgency signals Trump's seriousness in engaging Iran, evidenced by regional consensus against US strikes on Iran—unlike during the 12-day war—and Iran's enthusiasm, highlighted by Ali Larijani, secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, leading a delegation to Oman, the host of US-Iran talks. Netanyahu may also seek to include an Israeli strike on Iran, backed by Washington, to shield US bases from retaliation, though Trump currently lacks enthusiasm for this.