JERUSALEM (VINnews) – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu departed for Washington on Tuesday for his seventh meeting with President Donald Trump since Trump’s election to a second term, emphasizing the “unique closeness” in U.S.-Israel ties as he prepares to discuss Gaza, regional issues and, above all, negotiations with Iran.

Speaking to reporters before boarding the Israeli government plane at Ben Gurion Airport, Netanyahu highlighted the strength of the bilateral relationship.

“I am now leaving for the United States for my seventh trip to meet with President Trump since he was elected for a second term,” Netanyahu said. “This, of course, does not include his unforgettable visit to Israel and his speech in the Knesset.”

He described the bond as “unprecedented in our history,” citing both personal ties with Trump and the broader alliance between Israel and the United States.

The trip, originally planned for later in February but moved up, comes amid ongoing U.S.-Iran indirect talks, including recent discussions in Oman. Netanyahu said the leaders will address “a series of issues: Gaza, the region, but of course first and foremost the negotiations with Iran.”

“I will present to the President our positions regarding the principles of the negotiations, the important principles,” he added, “and in my view they are important not only for Israel — but for everyone in the world who wants peace and security in the Middle East.”

The meeting at the White House is scheduled for Wednesday. Israeli officials have indicated Netanyahu aims to influence the U.S. approach, pushing for broader terms that could include limits on Iran’s ballistic missiles and an end to its support for proxy groups in the region.

Netanyahu’s frequent engagements with Trump accentuates the close coordination between the two governments on Middle East security matters. He is expected to return to Israel early Friday.