Then-presidential candidate Donald Trump meets with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in New York City in September 2016. Photo: Kobi Gideon / GPO.

US President Donald Trump will meet with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Washington on Feb. 15, White House Press Secretary Sean Spicer announced on Monday.

“Our relationship with the only democracy in the Middle East is crucial to the security of both our nations, and the president looks forward to discussing continued strategic, technological, military and intelligence cooperation with the prime minister,” Spicer said at a press briefing.

Shortly before Spicer spoke, Netanyahu tweeted, “Iran has again launched a ballistic missile [a reference to a test conducted by the Tehran regime over the weekend]. This is a flagrant violation of a UN Security Council resolution.”

“In my upcoming meeting with President Trump,” Netanyahu continued, “I plan to raise the renewal of sanctions on Iran in this and other contexts.”

איראן שוב שיגרה טיל בליסטי. זו הפרה בוטה של החלטת מועצת הביטחון >>

— Benjamin Netanyahu (@netanyahu) January 30, 2017

Also at the press briefing on Monday,  Spicer claimed there has been “no better friend” to Israel and the Jewish people than President Trump.

Later on Monday, Netanyahu tweeted, “I deeply appreciate President Trump’s kind invitation to come to Washington and the warm words about Israel.”

I deeply appreciate President Trump’s kind invitation to come to Washington and the warm words about Israel.

— Benjamin Netanyahu (@netanyahu) January 30, 2017

Earlier on Monday, Vice President Mike Pence met in Washington with King Abdullah II of Jordan. According to Spicer, one of the issues discussed was the Israeli-Palestinian peace process and the potential relocation of the US Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem.

Regarding the embassy issue, Spicer reiterated on Monday that the Trump administration was still in the “early stages” of the decision-making process.

In a CBN interview that aired on Sunday, Trump said he has “always liked the concept” of moving the embassy.

“It’s a big, big decision, but we’re studying the issue right now,” he stated.

Trump and Netanyahu spoke by telephone for half an hour on Jan. 22. Speaking to Likud lawmakers a day later, the prime minister said he attached “great importance” to the planned future first meeting with Trump, adding that it would “further strengthen the personal trust” between the two leaders.

“After eight years in which I withstood enormous pressure on various issues, primarily Iran and the settlements, I certainly welcome the change of approach,” Netanyahu said.