Liberman heads to US for talks on ‘Iran’s expansion throughout Mideast’

Defense Minister Avigdor Liberman will travel to the United States tonight to meet with senior American officials, including Secretary of Defense James Mattis and newly named National Security Adviser John Bolton.

According to the defense minister, his meetings will focus on “Iran’s expansion throughout the Middle East and on the Syria issue,” as well as Israeli-American security cooperation.

Liberman is also expected to meet with members of the US Senate Armed Services Committee, which oversees and has considerable influence over the US military and the country’s defense policy, his office says.

“I will also take advantage of the opportunity to thank our American friends for transferring the embassy to Jerusalem — the perfect gift for the 70th anniversary celebrations,” Liberman says in a tweet.

— Judah Ari Gross