Last minute

US envoy Steve Witkoff to visit Israel amid regional tensions Witkoff to meet Netanyahu and Israeli military officials US–Israel talks planned ahead of possible Iran diplomacy Trump envoy heads to Israel for high-level meetings Israel visit by US envoy focuses on Gaza and Iran Washington steps up diplomacy with Israel

US Envoy Witkoff to Visit Israel, Meet Netanyahu, Israeli Officials Say

BAKU, Azerbaijan, February 2.US President Donald Trump's senior ​envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to visit Israel for meetings with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israel's military chief, two senior Israeli officials said on Monday TurkicWorld reports via Asharq Al-Awsat.

The officials said Witkoff's visit ‌to the ‌country was expected ‌to ⁠begin ​on Tuesday. ‌It comes amid heightened regional tensions with Iran, and as the Trump administration presses ahead with its plan to end the Gaza war.

Iran is weighing terms for ⁠resuming talks with the United States soon ‌after both sides signaled ‍readiness to ‍revive diplomacy over a long-running nuclear ‍dispute and dispel fears of a new regional war.

A third Israeli official said Witkoff's meetings will be preparatory ​ahead of the talks possibly resuming and would follow up on ⁠a weekend meeting by Israeli military chief Eyal Zamir with his US counterpart General Dan Caine in Washington.

Tensions are running high amid a military buildup by the US near Iran, following a violent crackdown against anti-government demonstrations last month, the deadliest domestic unrest ‌in Iran since its 1979 revolution.