U.S. President Donald Trump’s senior envoy, Steve Witkoff, is due in Israel on Tuesday to meet Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and military chief General Eyal Zamir. The short visit is described by officials as preparatory for possible renewed U.S.–Iran nuclear diplomacy and follows a recent meeting between Israeli and U.S. military chiefs in Washington. The trip occurs amid heightened regional tensions and a U.S. military buildup near Iran after deadly domestic unrest there.
U.S. Envoy Steve Witkoff to Meet Netanyahu and Israel’s Military Chief as Iran Tensions Rise
U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff attends the 56th annual World Economic Forum (WEF) meeting in Davos, Switzerland, January 22, 2026. REUTERS/Romina Amato
JERUSALEM, Feb 2 — U.S. President Donald Trump’s senior envoy, Steve Witkoff, is expected to arrive in Israel on Tuesday for meetings with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Israel’s military chief, General Eyal Zamir, two senior Israeli officials said on Monday.
The visit comes amid heightened regional tensions with Iran and as the Trump administration pushes to advance efforts to end the Gaza war. Israeli officials said the meetings are intended to prepare for a possible resumption of diplomacy between Washington and Tehran over a long‑running nuclear dispute.
Preparatory Talks Linked To U.S.–Iran Diplomacy
A third Israeli official said Witkoff’s talks would be preparatory should U.S.–Iran negotiations resume. The visit follows a weekend meeting in Washington between General Zamir and his U.S. counterpart, General Dan Caine, and is expected to build on that discussion.
Tensions have been stoked by a U.S. military buildup near Iran following a violent crackdown on anti‑government demonstrations last month — the deadliest domestic unrest in Iran since the 1979 revolution — and by reciprocal signaling from Tehran and Washington about returning to diplomacy.
Israeli officials did not provide further details on the schedule or public engagements for Witkoff’s visit. The trip underscores the close coordination between Israel and the United States as both countries assess the prospects for renewed talks with Iran and seek to manage risks of broader regional escalation.
Reporting by Maayan Lubell; editing by Rami Ayyub.
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