Trump Hosts Netanyahu, Hits Iran With Renewed 'Maximum Pressure', Suggests U.S. 'Ownership' Of Gaza

U.S. President Donald Trump on Tuesday welcomed his first international guest - Israel's Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to the White House at a critical juncture for the Middle East ceasefire. In a surprise move, the pair unveiled a surprise plan with Trump suggesting that the U.S. could take control of the Gaza Strip, TURAN's Washington correspondent reports from the White House.

"We're going to take over that piece," Trump said of Gaza during a joint press conference alongside his Israeli guest.  "We're going to develop it, create thousands and thousands of jobs, and it'll be something that the entire Middle East can be very proud of," he added.

Asked whether U.S. troops would be sent to Gaza, Trump said, "As far as Gaza is concerned, we'll do what is necessary. If it's necessary, we'll do that."

He went on to describe Washington's role in the territory as a "long-term ownership position."

Netanyahu, in his turn, echoed Trump's idea: "We're talking about it. He's exploring it with his people, with his staff. I think it's something that could change history, and it's worthwhile really pursuing this avenue," he said.

The pair also discussed Iran, which both U.S. and Israeli officials believe is at its weakest point in years.  "With me, it's very simple: Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon," Trump said. Asked how close Tehran is to a weapon, Trump added: "They're too close."

Netanyahu said he found he had something else in common with Trump, too — he said Iran "has tried to kill them both." After the collapse of its regional proxies, Tehran has been left without most of the tools it has used for decades to exert power throughout the Middle East.

Ahead of his Oval Office meeting with Netanyahu, Trump Tuesday afternoon signed the presidential memorandum reimposing Washington's 'maximum pressure' policy on Iran that was practiced throughout his first term. 

The new measures alo includes efforts to drive its oil exports down to zero in order to stop Tehran from obtaining a nuclear weapon,  according to senior Trump administration officials.

“It’s very tough on Iran,” Trump said while signing the Iran document. “Hopefully we are not going to have to use it very much.”