Iran's nuclear and ballistic programmes, the focus of Netanyahu-Trump talks

Iran remains the focus of international attention.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he will discuss Iran's nuclear activities during his visit next week to US President Donald Trump.

At a joint press conference with Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis and Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides in Jerusalem, Netanyahu said Israel was aware that Iran had been conducting ‘exercises’ recently, without giving further details. Iranian state media reported that Iran had conducted missile exercises in several cities during the day, the second such exercise reported in a month.

Western powers view Iran's ballistic missile arsenal as both a conventional military threat to Middle East stability and a potential delivery vehicle for nuclear weapons if Tehran develops them. The Islamic Republic denies any intention to build atomic bombs.

Relations between the eastern Mediterranean neighbours, Israel, Greece and Cyprus, have strengthened over the past decade, with shared concerns about Turkey's influence in the region.

Despite ‘great achievements’ during the 12-day war with Iran in June, Netanyahu said that Israel and the United States' basic expectations regarding Iran have not changed, including reducing its level of uranium enrichment.

‘Obviously it will be an issue in our discussions,’ he said of his meeting with US President Donald Trump next week, adding: ‘We are not seeking confrontation’ with Iran, but rather ‘stability, prosperity and peace,’ he added.

Still, Netanyahu said the focus of his discussions with Trump in Washington will be on moving forward with the next phase of Trump's plan for Gaza, as well as dealing with Iran-based Hezbollah militants in Lebanon.

He cited ‘Israel's desire to see a sovereign and stable Lebanon’ and efforts to prevent the blocking of international shipping by Iran-aligned Houthi forces in Yemen.

NBC News reported that the US president would be briefed by Netanyahu on Iran's ballistic missile programme, arguing that the expansion of that programme poses a threat that would require swift action.

‘Netanyahu is expected to present Trump with options for the US to join or assist in any new military operation,’ NBC reported, citing an anonymous source with direct knowledge of the plans and former US officials briefed on them.

Iran conducted missile exercises in several cities on Monday, state media reported, citing anonymous sources and witnesses, in what was the second such exercise in a month.

The Telegram channel of the Iranian public and semi-official broadcaster Nournews posted videos of what appear to be missile launches, without specifying the location.

However, the media said the launches took place from the capital, Tehran, and the cities of Isfahan and Mashhad.

Later on Monday, state media quoted ‘well-informed sources’ who denied that missiles had been tested and claimed that the images broadcast were of ‘high-altitude aircraft’. No clarification was offered on the conflicting reports.

NBC reported that Israeli officials are concerned that Iran is rebuilding the nuclear enrichment sites that the United States bombed in June, and were preparing to brief Trump on options for striking the missile programme again.

Earlier this month, Iran's elite Revolutionary Guard Navy conducted a two-day exercise aimed at countering foreign threats, firing ballistic and cruise missiles at simulated targets in the Gulf.

Iran insisted that its missile programme was defensive in nature and designed to deter an attack, although it added that the existence of its arsenal was not up for debate.

Israel had presented Iran's ballistic missiles, along with its nuclear programme, as the two main threats it sought to neutralise during the 12-day war the enemies fought in June.

‘Iran's missile programme was developed to defend Iran's territory, not to negotiate,’ Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmaeil Baqaei said at a weekly press conference.

‘Therefore, Iran's defence capabilities, designed to deter aggressors from any idea of attacking Iran, are not a matter for discussion.’

During the recent war, Israel attacked military installations, nuclear facilities and residential areas, killing more than 1,000 people.

Israel reported more than 50 Iranian missile strikes inside its territory that killed 28 people.

The United States briefly joined its ally in attacking Iran's nuclear facilities before declaring a ceasefire.