Trump Meets Israeli Minister as Iran Nuclear Talks and Gaza Conflict Intensify

U.S. President Donald Trump met with Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer at the White House on Thursday to discuss nuclear negotiations with Iran and the ongoing conflict in Gaza, Axios reported, citing sources familiar with the matter. The meeting was not publicly disclosed by either government.

Dermer also held talks with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio on Wednesday and participated in several White House discussions, including the one with Trump. The White House has not issued an official statement on the meetings.

The discussions come ahead of Trump’s upcoming Middle East diplomatic trip, which includes stops in Saudi Arabia and two other regional countries. Meanwhile, a fourth round of U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations is expected to take place in Oman over the weekend, with May 11 likely as the meeting date. U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff is reportedly traveling to Oman, signaling Washington’s continued pursuit of a diplomatic resolution. While Western nations suspect Iran is seeking nuclear weapons, Tehran maintains its program is solely for civilian use. Trump has warned of potential military action if no deal is reached.

The meeting also touched on Israel’s controversial military campaign in Gaza. Israel’s Security Cabinet recently approved a plan that could lead to the full seizure of the Gaza Strip, home to 2.3 million people, and continued control over humanitarian aid, which has been restricted since March. Human rights groups and international organizations have condemned the growing crisis.

The conflict, reignited in October 2023 by a deadly Hamas attack on Israel, has resulted in over 52,000 Palestinian deaths, according to Gaza’s health ministry. Israel faces international accusations of war crimes, which it denies. Critics have also condemned Trump’s support for plans to displace Palestinians, calling it a form of ethnic cleansing.