Trump Envoy Witkoff Heads to Israel as Iran Prepares for Possible US Talks

US President Donald Trump’s senior envoy Steve Witkoff is expected to arrive in Israel on Tuesday for meetings with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and IDF Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, according to two senior Israeli officials.

The visit coincides with reports from Iranian media that direct talks between the United States and Iran could begin in the coming days. Iran’s semi-official Tasnim news agency said senior officials from the two countries are preparing for discussions, citing an “informed source.” According to the report, the talks would likely be led by US envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, though the time and location have not been finalized, with Iranian media describing Turkey as a likely venue.

Israeli officials said Witkoff’s meetings in Jerusalem are expected to focus on regional security developments and ongoing diplomatic efforts. Zamir returned to Israel yesterday after a discreet weekend visit to Washington, DC, where he held a series of discussions with senior US defense officials. The meetings were conducted behind closed doors, with details kept tightly controlled on both sides, consistent with public reporting of a quiet but intensive security dialogue. Israeli diplomatic sources have described the Washington channel as a key framework for coordination amid mounting regional uncertainty.

President Trump has publicly confirmed that the United States and Iran are in contact, while declining to rule out military action. Speaking to reporters over the weekend, Trump said the two sides were “talking,” but stressed that all options remain on the table as Washington evaluates Iran’s next steps.

The diplomatic maneuvering comes as Iran seeks to rebuild parts of its nuclear and missile programs following the June 2025 war with Israel, according to Western and Israeli assessments. Tehran has denied receiving any ultimatum from Washington to reach an agreement, insisting that it does not conduct diplomacy under threats.

An Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman said yesterday Iran is reviewing diplomatic pathways and expects developments in the coming days, emphasizing that Tehran “will never tolerate an ultimatum.” The remarks were issued alongside renewed warnings that any attack on Iran would draw a regional response, statements that US officials have described as part of Tehran’s broader deterrence messaging.

Alongside the Iran-focused diplomacy, regional dynamics continue to shift. As Phase II officially began, Israel fully reopened the Rafah Border Crossing between Gaza and Egypt on Monday to pedestrian traffic, following a limited pilot opening a day earlier. The move allows Palestinians to exit the Gaza Strip and permits the return of certain Gazans who left during the fighting, according to Israeli and Arab media reports.

Witkoff’s arrival in Israel is expected to clarify Washington’s next steps as it balances diplomatic engagement with sustained pressure on Tehran. With the timing and format of potential US–Iran talks still unsettled, Israeli officials say the coming days will be critical in determining whether the current contacts develop into a formal negotiating track.