Netanyahu says he’s going to discuss tariffs but Tehran is more likely at the top of the secret agenda. Trump teveals Iran seeks direct talks, raising suspicion the Iranians are rattled and trying to buy time. Washington sends Israel a second THAAD defense system.

\Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s official visit to Washington this week, ostensibly to negotiate relief from recently imposed U.S. tariffs on Israeli goods, is widely believed among security analysts to be a cover for strategic planning regarding Iran.

President Trump amplified the stakes on Sunday, announcing unexpectedly aboard Air Force One that Iran privately signaled an interest in direct nuclear negotiations. “Forget about letters—I think they want to have direct talks,” Trump remarked, suggesting Tehran might be seeking diplomatic solutions amid escalating tensions.

But security officials and military experts question Tehran’s sincerity. With recent deployments by the U.S.—including a second Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) battery positioned in the Middle East—and intensified Israeli operations targeting Iranian-backed proxies in Syria and Lebanon, signs indicate preparations for military action rather than diplomatic rapprochement.

“The THAAD deployment isn’t routine,” emphasized Col. (res.) Amir Baram, former head of Israel’s Northern Command. “It’s defensive readiness for something major. Netanyahu isn’t flying to Washington to talk tariffs; he’s coordinating clocks with the White House.”

Iran’s sudden willingness for dialogue contrasts sharply with its earlier refusal to engage directly with Washington, raising suspicion that Tehran’s overture is a tactic aimed at stalling for time rather than signaling genuine diplomatic intent.

“Tehran sees the writing on the wall,” said retired Mossad analyst Yaakov Kedmi. “They know the Americans and Israelis are aligning strategies. Expressing sudden openness to talks is classic Iranian maneuvering—buying time and hoping to delay the inevitable.”

As Netanyahu sits down with Trump, military analysts remain convinced that behind the curtain of economic discussions, both leaders will finalize critical details of a potential strike aimed at permanently disrupting Iran’s nuclear ambitions.