President Donald Trump met with Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer on May 8 to discuss the upcoming U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations and the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, according to Axios. The meeting, held at the White House, was not publicly disclosed by either government.
Dermer also met with Secretary of State Marco Rubio the prior day, engaging in several discussions within the White House. These meetings occurred ahead of the fourth round of U.S.-Iran nuclear talks scheduled to commence in Oman on Sunday May 11.
The Trump administration’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, is set to lead the U.S. delegation, while Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi will head the Iranian delegation. Araghchi plans to visit Saudi Arabia and Qatar on Saturday and participate in the Iran-Arab World Dialogue summit in Doha, where discussions will also cover the Israel-Hamas conflict, as reported by Al Araby Al Jadeed.
The timing of these meetings is notable, coming shortly after President Trump’s announcement on Tuesday that the U.S. would cease bombing the Houthis in Yemen, following claims that the Iran-aligned group agreed to stop disrupting key shipping lanes in the Middle East. This decision reportedly “blindsided” Israel.
President Trump’s upcoming Middle East tour, beginning on Monday, will include visits to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE, but not Israel.
