Netanyahu says Iran to top agenda in meeting with Trump

WASHINGTON: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Monday said that Iran would be at the forefront of discussions with United States President Donald Trump. In a post on X, Netanyahu stated, "I am heading out now to a meeting with our friend, President Donald Trump, this is our eighth meeting since he was elected to his second term, more than with any other international leader."

Terming it a "great honour" and "great responsibility," the Israeli prime minister noted that his meeting with Trump would "discuss all the issues on the table, with Iran at the forefront." He added, "Our goal is clear: to safeguard Israel's security, strengthen its power, and expand the circle of peace around us."

Further, Netanyahu stated, "I am embarking on this mission out of a deep commitment to ensure the security, strength, and future of the State of Israel."

He added that during his visit, he would also pay respects "to a true friend of mine and of the State of Israel, Senator Lindsey Graham" whom he termed "one of Israel's greatest friends of all time."

Earlier in the day, the State of Israel’s Arabic-language account on X said that Netanyahu had departed for Washington, DC, where he is would meet Trump.

According to the post, the prime minister was undertaking the visit at Trump’s invitation, with the two leaders expected to discuss “issues of concern to both countries”.

The visit comes as Netanyahu remains the subject of an International Criminal Court (ICC) arrest warrant. The ICC issued warrants in November 2024 for Netanyahu and former Israeli Defence Minister Yoav Gallant over alleged crimes against humanity committed amid Israel’s war on Gaza.

Saudi Arabia, Jordan, Israel intercept drones

Saudi Arabia's Ministry of Defence, citing its official spokesperson Major General Turki Al-Maliki, said in an X post that "air defences intercepted and destroyed a number of drones during the past hours that attempted to target petroleum facilities in the Eastern Region and Riyadh."

The ministry added that Al-Maliki "clarified that these terrorist attempts were launched from Iraqi territory and carried out by Iranian-backed terrorist militias, affirming the Kingdom's legitimate right to defend itself and its capabilities, and its retention of the right to respond at the appropriate time and place."

Meanwhile, Jordan's armed forces on Monday said two drones had been intercepted, without identifying who launched the drones, Al Jazeera reported. According to the Qatari news agency, no casualties or material damage was reported.

The Israeli military also claimed that it intercepted two drones near the Jordanian border and was investigation where they had been launched from, according to AFP.

'Not in our DNA': Iran hasn't asked to resume talks with US, Baghaei says

Earlier, Iran's Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baghaei said at a news conference that some countries in the Gulf region had been involved in the US war on Tehran, but did not give further details. He added that Iran would not let the US determine the end of war, clarifiying that Tehran has not asked for resumption of talks with the US as it is "not in our DNA."

According to Baghaei, negotiations between Iran and Oman on the Strait of Hormuz were held on Friday and Saturday, Al Jazeera reported. He noted, “There were useful discussions on how to manage shipping in the Strait of Hormuz,” but stated that "the situation in the Strait of Hormuz has not changed; it remains closed and these negotiations have nothing to do with the US.”

Further, according to Al Jazeera, Baghaei stated that the Israeli government "will do whatever it takes to prevent the transfer of [nuclear] technologies” to the countries in the Middle East. He added that the "peaceful use of nuclear energy is everyone’s right," and that "the reason for the pressure on Iran was Iran’s use of its right."

"We leave the judgement to the world," the spokesman said.

According to Baghaei, Washington thought “Iran would collapse in three days and surrender” after the start of the US-Israeli war, Al Jazeera reported. He added, though that months later, "America is stuck in this place and they are proud of its crimes."

The spokesman also said that the US returns to the negotiation table whenever global energy prices increase, Al Jazeera reported.

Iran summons French ambassador over diplomat detention

Tehran summoned the French ambassador over the detention of two French diplomats earlier this month by the Islamic Republic's security forces, Al Jazeera said. Baghaei, at the news conference, said Iran "was stressed that the French government must cease such actions and such interference in Iran's internal affairs under misleading labels," the news agency reported.

According to the foreign ministry spokesman, the diplomats' actions were carried out "under the pretext of engaging with civil society," Al Jazeera said. It added that the diplomats were detained and interrogated for several hours on July 19, before they were allowed to return to the embassy. One of the diplomats, Baghaei noted, was physically abused.

France's Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot called the incident "an extremely serious act of intimidation."