Israeli officials to meet with Witkoff as tensions grow in Middle East
Senior Israeli officials plan to meet with a top U.S. envoy this week to clarify their government's views on Iran, an Israeli official said Thursday, as concerns grow that Israel may soon carry out military strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities.
The gathering is part of a flurry of conversations and moves taking place in Washington and the Middle East in response to the possibility of an Israeli attack — including the withdrawal of many U.S. diplomats from certain posts.
The Israeli officials — Ron Dermer, a top adviser to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, and David Barnea, the chief of the Mossad spy agency — are expected to travel Friday. They'll see Steve Witkoff, a top envoy of President Donald Trump.
The statement from the Israeli official did not say where the meeting would be held. Witkoff is expected to be in Oman on Sunday for nuclear talks with Iranian officials.
On Wednesday, Israel's ambassador to the United States went to the White House for conversations, according to a person familiar with the events. A spokesperson for the White House declined to provide immediate comment.
The Israeli official and the person familiar with the events were granted anonymity because they were not authorized to speak publicly on the developments.
Iran's defense minister also threatened Wednesday to strike American bases in the region if negotiations over Iran's nuclear program fail and conflict with the U.S. arises.
The United States has been pulling many of its diplomats and their families out of key locations in the Middle East that could face threats if the long-simmering tensions between Iran and Israel erupt. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth on Wednesday also authorized the voluntary departures of the families and dependents of U.S. service members stationed at bases in the Middle East. Military personnel, however, will not be pulled at this time.
The U.S. announced Thursday that its government employees and their families in Israel 'are restricted from traveling outside' the greater Tel Aviv, Jerusalem and Be'er Sheva areas until further notice.
'The situation remains complex and may change rapidly,' the U.S. Embassy in Jerusalem said in a statement.
Eli Stokols and Eric Bazail-Eimil contributed to this report.
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