Obama, Netanyahu to Meet March 3

U.S. President Barack Obama will host Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu for talks on Iran and U.S. Middle East peace moves on March 3, the White House said Wednesday.

Israel had previously announced the Israeli leader would travel to Washington the day before the talks for a visit which also includes a speech to the annual conference of the American Israeli Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC) lobby group.

"The president looks forward to discussing with the prime minister progress in Israeli-Palestinian negotiations, developments in Iran, and other regional priorities," a White House statement said.

"Prime Minister Netanyahu's visit is a demonstration of the deep and enduring bonds between the United States and Israel, and our close consultations on a range of security issues."

Obama and Israel have struggled for years to reconcile differing assessments of the moment when Iran's nuclear program becomes a mortal threat.

Their talks will take place as Washington and its global partners seek to turn an interim deal which halted some aspects Tehran's nuclear program in return for a slight easing of sanctions, into a permanent agreement.