White House To Host Israeli Officials For Talks On Iran, Saudi Arabia

A delegation of Israeli officials is expected to arrive in Washington next week to discuss Iranian nuclear progress.

Four Israeli and US officials told Axios that Minister for Strategic Affairs Ron Dermer and National Security Adviser Tzachi Hanegbi will also discuss other regional issues including a possible Israel-Saudi Arabia peace deal.

Meetings are said to be planned between Israeli officials and White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan as well as other senior State Department authorities, according to the Axios report.

According to the Israeli Prime Minister's Office, the date of the meetings has not been finalized yet. A spokesperson for the White House National Security Council said they could not confirm anything.

Recently, Israeli officials have escalated their rhetoric about Iran's nuclear program and the possibility of a military strike.

General Herzi Halevi, IDF Chief of Staff, said on Tuesday that Iran's uranium enrichment is more advanced than ever. He added that Israel is closely monitoring "other fields" necessary for nuclear capability, indicating Iran's possible weaponization efforts.

“There are possible negative developments on the horizon that could lead to action. We have capabilities and others have capabilities," Halevi stressed.

Separately on Tuesday, Hanegbi said Israel hopes non-military means can solve the Iranian nuclear crisis, but stressed Israel is preparing for the possibility of confrontation.

An Associated Press report Monday showed the regime is building a deep underground nuclear facility near the Zagros Mountains in central Iran, close to the Natanz nuclear site.