US President Donald Trump has confirmed that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will visit Washington next week for talks as the war with Iran approaches its fifth month.
Netanyahu’s office said he will travel to the US capital on Monday and meet Trump on Tuesday. The Israeli prime minister is also expected to attend the funeral of the late US Senator Lindsey Graham.
Trump confirmed the visit during a speech at a rescheduled White House Correspondents’ Association Dinner, held three months after an alleged assassination attempt forced the cancellation of the original event.
The president initially reflected on the April attack, saying the event had to continue. He then turned his attention to journalists, Democratic politicians and other political opponents in a speech that frequently echoed the tone of his campaign rallies.
Trump criticised what he called the “fake news media” and revived speculation about seeking another presidential term, despite the US Constitution limiting presidents to two elected terms.
“Just like my presidency, the second time is always better. And the third time is better yet,” Trump said before adding that he was joking.
He later produced a red “Trump 2028” cap and joked about running for a fourth term.
Trump also made controversial remarks about Senate Democratic leader Chuck Schumer, who is Jewish, describing him as Palestinian and saying he would send him traditional Palestinian clothing to greet Netanyahu. Muslim and Jewish advocacy groups have previously criticised Trump for using the term in what they said was a derogatory manner.
The president’s return to the annual media gathering came after years of strained relations with the press. The original dinner in April was abandoned after gunshots were reported near the Washington Hilton, prompting Trump’s evacuation.
Cole Allen, a 31-year-old California man, has pleaded not guilty to charges including attempting to kill the president.
The rescheduled event was held at the Waldorf Astoria in Washington, a former Trump hotel, with security significantly increased. Roads near the venue were closed and police and National Guard personnel were deployed.
Secret Service Director Sean Curran attended the event and said the current threat environment facing senior US officials was among the most serious he had seen.
“The threat picture and environment is as large as I’ve ever seen it,” Curran said.
The evening included performances and a tribute to a Secret Service agent involved in stopping the alleged attacker.
The Trump-Netanyahu meeting is expected to take place against the backdrop of the continuing US-Israeli war with Iran, which has intensified tensions across the Middle East and created growing pressure for a diplomatic solution.
