Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is coming to Washington for talks with President Donald Trump focused squarely on Iran's missile threat.
Netanyahu flagged Tehran's expanding arsenal as an imminent danger before departing Israel, setting up what promises to be a high-stakes discussion on how to counter the regime's advancing capabilities.
'We will talk about Gaza, the region, but first and foremost about Iran,' Netanyahu said to an Israeli outlet. 'I will present to Trump principles for negotiations with Iran - which are important for those who want peace and security in the Middle East.'
Netanyahu plans to present what he calls the 'restoration' of Iran's ballistic missile program -- an move Middle-East experts claim is part of a persuasion campaign to attack Iran.
This comes as a fleet of 112 C-17s aircrafts are reportedly headed to the Middle East.
A C-17 is a large, versatile military transport aircraft used by the U.S. Air Force and allies to deliver troops, cargo and humanitarian aid across the globe.
A NATO airbase in Germany has also been requisitioned for 24/7 flights as operational 'tempo' increases.
Before Netanyahu's visit was announced, Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baqaie explained in a news conference in Tehran that the US has should act alone in their decision making for Iran, and not rely on Israel.
'Israel has proven to be a destructive party and is trying to undermine every channel of negotiation to resolve the crises in the region through diplomatic means,' he said.
He followed up by saying that Iran is squarely focused on coming to an agreement with the U.S. with the goal of lifting their sanctions.
Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is in route to Washington D.C. today -- planning to meet with President Donald Trump tomorrow
High-resolution imagery captured on 22 June 2025 shows clear evidence of entry holes consistent with the use of Massive Ordnance Penetrators (MOPs) targeting Iran's Fordow nuclear facility
Iranian missiles are displayed in a park in Tehran, Iran, January 31, 2026
Right now, the Trump-Netanyahu meeting is expected to take place Wednesday -- the only agenda item on the Prime Ministers schedule.
US ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee is reportedly joining Netanyahu's flight for the second time.
Trump said the US had 'very good' talks with Tehran on Friday and that discussions would continue, but noted that the consequences for Iran would be 'very steep' if a deal was not reached.
The US had threatened military action against Iran during the peak of the protest movement that swept the nation earlier this year, which saw authorities launch a deadly crackdown to quell dissent.
There was no immediate indication that the two sides discussed the protests during Friday's Omani-mediated talks.
Iran has branded the protests as riots fueled by its arch-foes Israel and the US, and on Monday, supreme leader Khamenei called on the nation to show 'resolve' against foreign pressure.
'National power is less about missiles and aircraft and more about the will and resolve of the people,' Khamenei said, adding: 'Show it again and frustrate the enemy.'
A billboard displaying a map of potential targets in Tel Aviv, Israel, along with a warning message reading, 'You start, we finish!' is seen at Palestine Square, Tehran, February 9
Families gather at the Kahrizak Coroner's Office confronting rows of body bags as they search for relatives killed during the regime's violent crackdown on nationwide protests
At the talks in Oman, the US and Iran had agreed to discuss Tehran's nuclear program, though Washington and Israel also want to put the Islamic republic's ballistic missiles and its support for regional militant groups on the agenda.
Iran insists its nuclear program is for civilian purposes but Western powers and Israel believe it is seeking a nuclear weapon.
On Sunday, Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi said Iran could envision 'a series of confidence-building measures concerning the nuclear program' in exchange for the United States lifting sanctions on the country.
But Araghchi insisted on Iran's right to continue enriching uranium.
Meanwhile, the secretary of Iran's top security body, Ali Larijani, said he will visit Oman on Tuesday for meetings with Omani authorities.
With the US giving no indication that the protest crackdown is still a potential issue in the negotiations, Iranian authorities appear to be tightening their grip.