United States President Donald Trump said that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will visit the US next week as the American forces continue to pound parts of Iran after peace talks fizzled out despite weeks of talks and signing of the MoU between Washington and Tehran.Trump’s remark came in his speech at the White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner on Friday.Netanyahu and Trump agreed to meet in the United States a few weeks ago following a phone conversation. During the call, Netanyahu congratulated Trump on the 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States and praised the close relationship between the two countries. It comes as the US-Israeli war with Iran has again escalated following a breakdown earlier this month of a ceasefire reached as part of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by the US and Iran.Israel had opposed the agreement from the outset, while its continuing military operations in Lebanon repeatedly threatened diplomatic efforts in the region.The Trump administration has also been mediating separate talks between Israel and Lebanon aimed at ending hostilities. The negotiations do not involve Hezbollah.Both sides have accepted a proposal under which Israeli-held areas in southern Lebanon would eventually be handed over to the Lebanese military. However, there has been little visible progress on the ground since March.During a meeting with Lebanese President Joseph Aoun earlier this week, Trump did not indicate when Israeli forces would withdraw from the occupied areas.Meanwhile, the US military said its Central Command had completed a 13th straight night of strikes against targets in Iran.Iran has continued to respond with attacks on US military assets across the region. Last week, a strike on a US base in Jordan killed three American soldiers.The United States has also increased its military deployment in Israel, a move that some analysts believe could signal preparations for a wider regional escalation.Netanyahu’s visit will also take place as Israel’s military campaign in Gaza continues. Despite a US-backed ceasefire announced last October, Israeli forces have continued issuing evacuation orders and carrying out frequent strikes across the territory.
