Jerusalem: US envoy Steve Witkoff met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem for discussions centered on Iran, as reported by Israeli media. The meeting included heads of Israel's security agencies, as confirmed by Netanyahu's office to The Times of Israel news portal.

According to Anadolu Agency, the discussions took place after Witkoff's arrival in Israel, aimed at addressing the Iranian issue and the implementation of the second phase of US President Donald Trump's Gaza ceasefire plan. The Israeli Prime Minister's office later announced the conclusion of the meeting, emphasizing Netanyahu's firm stance on the disarmament of Hamas, the demilitarization of the Gaza Strip, and the achievement of war objectives before any reconstruction efforts.

Netanyahu also specified that the Palestinian Authority will not be involved in administering the Gaza Strip. Regarding Iran, Netanyahu expressed skepticism about Tehran's reliability, in anticipation of Witkoff's upcoming meeting with an Iranian representative.

The Israeli Broadcasting Authority (KAN) detailed that the meeting, which included Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz, army Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, and Mossad chief David Barnea, lasted approximately three and a half hours. Witkoff is scheduled to continue his diplomatic efforts with a meeting in Istanbul, Trkiye with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi to discuss Iran's nuclear program.

These talks occur amid increasing tensions between the US and Iran, marked by a US military buildup in the Persian Gulf and threats of military action by Trump. Several nations have offered to mediate to reduce these tensions, with Trkiye notably active in these efforts.