Axios: Netanyahu Sees Little Chance for Iran-U.S. Agreement and Heads to Washington

Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, plans to travel to Washington on Monday, April 18, to meet with Donald Trump, the President of the United States, to discuss Iran's nuclear program among other topics. This was reported by the news website 'Axios' on Saturday, April 16, citing 'four sources familiar with the matter.' According to Axios, Netanyahu believes that the likelihood of reaching a nuclear agreement between the U.S. and Iran is very low and wants to discuss with Trump a potential attack on Iran's nuclear facilities if diplomacy fails. The two sides are also expected to discuss the import tariffs imposed by the U.S. and the situation in Gaza. The report adds that if this trip goes as planned, the Israeli Prime Minister will be the first foreign leader to meet in person with President Trump to negotiate tariff reductions. Axios noted that this trip was initially scheduled for mid-April; however, sources indicated that the timing may change due to upcoming court sessions in Israel regarding a corruption case involving the Prime Minister. Regarding Iran, the U.S. President has called for a new agreement with Iran to ensure that the Islamic Republic does not seek to acquire nuclear weapons. Tehran has rejected direct talks with the U.S. but has indicated a willingness to continue negotiations through intermediaries. In response to this trend, Trump stated on April 14 that the conditions have changed, suggesting that Iran is now interested in direct dialogue with Washington and feels vulnerable. Trump also emphasized that if negotiations do not yield results, Iran will face new tariffs and the possibility of bombing. Meanwhile, the Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic, Ali Khamenei, has deemed a military attack unlikely but has promised a decisive response. Concurrently, the U.S. Department of Defense has increased its military movements around Iran. Recent reports have indicated disagreements among senior White House officials regarding how to deal with Iran. Western countries, including the United States, have long accused Iran of seeking to acquire nuclear weapons, which Tehran denies, stating that its enrichment activities are solely for 'peaceful purposes.' On Friday, April 15, Dmitry Peskov, the Kremlin spokesperson, told reporters that the Iranian nuclear issue should be resolved through political and diplomatic means and called for restraint from all parties. Hakan Fidan, the Turkish Foreign Minister, also stated that Ankara does not want a U.S. attack on Iran and that the region cannot bear new wars and instability. He emphasized in an interview with Reuters that, instead of conflict, peaceful negotiations should be pursued as in the past.