Netanyahu Is Slated To Arrive In US: Can Bibi Sway Trump's Major Iran Offensive Plan

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is slated to meet President Donald Trump at the White House on Tuesday as the US is toying with the idea of a major escalation against Iran.Netanyahu's office confirmed the visit in a statement, but observers are getting confused signals on the trip. If Netanyahu indeed makes the trip as planned, it would send a signal that the planned escalation against Iran is on hold, according to a report.But this could also be a ploy as the US and Israeli leaders have pulled off deception campaign ahead of attacks on Iran previously, The Times of Israel reported.Netanyahu has met Trump at the Oval Office six times since 2025, when Trump began his second term in office. Axios reported that the Israeli leader's approval ratings in Washington have plummeted, making him one of the most unpopular world leaders in the US capital.Not only Democrats, Trump's close circle and the MAGA base have also becoming critical of him. Detractors pin the blame on Israel for prolonging the Middle East conflict, which they see as as an Israeli necessity that has dragged the US into a protracted conflict.Trump has indicated that the US is considering major combat operations in Iran that would likely include a joint military campaign with Israel, similar to the Operation Epic Fury on Feb. 28, which started the latest conflict.The US and the UK are set to convene a high-level meeting next week to discuss a potential international coalition to guarantee safe passage through the Hormuz Strait as Iran seeks to exert control of the key waterway.Trump aides see a potential meeting of the US President with Netanyahu could have significant impact the US administration's decision-making on the offensive.The only catch is in the previous escalatory phases also the US and Israel issued statements about high-level visits to deflect attention from potential strikes, only to carry out such actions.Officially Netanyahu is departing for the Washington trip Monday.He is also slated to attend the funeral service for Senator Lindsey Graham, a backer of Israel.Earlier in July, Netanyahu had sought an appointment with Trump, though that did not work out. It is not clear if that was because the late Sen. Lindsey Graham's wake had been postponed.White House did not offer much clarity on Wednesday also. An official told Axios discussions were on about a probable meeting, though no schedule has been set.Trump told Axios Thursday he would meet Netanyahu if the Israeli PM was in town for Graham's funeral ceremony.Some indications are that the US administration is wary of negative fallout of a Netanyahu visit coinciding with an escalatory military offensive in the Iran war. This would trigger a flurry of criticism from Trump's MAGA base and validate claims that the US is fighting Israel's war.With mid-terms coming up in November, Trump would not like to further annoy his backers.The situation is tricky as any strikes after a probable Netanyahu visit would also spur a similar backlash.