By Justin Choi

Today, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the White House to meet with President Trump. This is Netanyahu’s second visit to the U.S. following Trump’s second inauguration. 

At the Oval Office meeting, the president announced that the U.S. would begin to have direct talks with Iran over their nuclear program this upcoming weekend. He said, “I think Iran is going to be in great danger” if a deal won’t be met and that making a deal “would be preferable.” 

This comes after Iran has shown some willingness for direct negotiations. The Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Khamenei has been strongly against talking to the U.S., but Iranian President Pezeshkian has shown some openness. 

President Trump also reiterated peace in the Middle East and in Gaza. Alongside Netanyahu, the president once again said that he believes the war in Gaza needs to stop. The prime minister added that Trump has a vision for Gaza and that they will work on that vision.

Netanyahu also announced that his country will try to eliminate the trade deficit with the United States. However, when asked about the 17% tariffs that the U.S. imposed on Israel last week, the president said he was not sure if he would reduce the tariffs, citing that the U.S. gives them billions of dollars.