Netanyahu, Obama to discuss Iran nuclear deal at White House

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to meet U.S. President Barack Obama at the White House to discuss the Iran nuclear agreement. The meeting is scheduled to take place on Nov. 9.

This is going to be the first meeting between the two in months as Netanyahu has not managed to convince U.S. Congress against the Iran deal. According to White House spokesman Josh Earnest, the national leaders will discuss measures to fight Islamic State militants in the Middle East.

Earnest said the meeting between Netanyahu and Obama showed “the deep and enduring bonds between the United States and Israel as well as our unprecedented cooperation to further enhance Israel's security," Iranian news agency Press TV reported.

“We would expect in the context of this meeting in November, and others that may be on the agenda for lower-level officials, to begin having those discussions and we certainly welcome the opportunity to do so,” The Guardian quoted Earnest as saying.

According to the White House spokesman, Netanyahu and Obama will also discuss “Israel’s relations with the Palestinians, the situation in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank and the need for the genuine advancement of a two-state solution.”

U.S. lawmakers asked the Israeli PM to appear at a joint meeting of Congress in March to talk about his take on the Iran nuclear deal. The invitation was, however, not made without consulting the White House. Obama decided not to meet Netanyahu who harshly criticised the nuclear agreement and tried convincing Congress to disapprove it.

The U.S. administration has promised more than $7.18bn in security aid to Israel in 2016. Officials have also indicated Washington may sign a new 10-year security cooperation agreement with Israel. However, the Netanyahu government has expressed concern that signing such a deal may mean Israel accepts the Iran nuclear deal.

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