US President Joe Biden will meet his expiring Israeli counterpart Reuven Rivlin at the White House on Monday for expanded discussions on US efforts to return to the Iran nuclear deal.
The meeting takes place just weeks after Naftali Bennett took over as the new prime minister of Israel, succeeding Benjamin Netanyahu, as US officials are working to arrange a meeting between Biden and Bennett in the coming weeks.
Biden's meeting with Rivlin comes amid concern in Israel about the United States' efforts to return to the Iranian nuclear deal - which former President Donald Trump withdrew from in 2018 - at a slow pace during the rounds of negotiations in Vienna.
An informed source said that Biden is expected to inform the Israeli president that the United States and Israel share the same goal, which is not to allow Iran to produce a nuclear weapon.
He added that Biden would emphasize the United States' support for Israel's right to defend itself.
The two leaders are also expected to discuss Israel's 11-day war with Gaza, and the United States has pledged to modernize the Israeli missile defense system known as the Iron Dome, which was used extensively during the Gaza war.
Rivlin is scheduled to leave his post on July 7 after seven years in office, and will be replaced by Jewish Agency chief Isaac Herzog.
Yesterday, Sunday, US Secretary of State Anthony Blinken met his Israeli counterpart Yair Lapid in Rome, and the meeting dealt with several issues related to the region, most notably Iran.
In return, Lapid expressed concern about the ongoing talks on Iran, but pledged a more cooperative approach with the United States.