Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will urge US President Donald Trump on Wednesday to adopt a harder line in nuclear negotiations with Iran, following a rushed trip to Washington aimed at bolstering the president’s resolve.
The White House meeting is scheduled to begin at 11:00 am local time (1600 GMT). Ahead of the encounter, Trump indicated he was considering dispatching a second US “armada” to the Middle East to pressure Tehran into reaching a nuclear deal.
Netanyahu, on his sixth visit to the United States since Trump took office, will also press the president to confront Iran over its ballistic missile programme. Tehran, which resumed talks with Washington last week in Oman, warned on Monday of “destructive influences” on diplomacy ahead of the Israeli premier’s visit.
The visit had originally been planned for a February 19 session of Trump’s “Board of Peace” for Gaza but was brought forward due to developments in US-Iran negotiations.
Trump’s position
Speaking to Axios on Tuesday, Trump said he was “thinking” of sending a second aircraft carrier strike group to the region. “Either we will make a deal, or we will have to do something very tough like last time,” he said. In a separate interview with Fox Business, he stressed any agreement must ensure “no nuclear weapons, no missiles”.
Trump added that Iran’s leadership “wants to make a deal” but has “been very dishonest with us over the years.”
Netanyahu’s goals
Netanyahu said his discussions would focus “first and foremost” on Iran negotiations, while also addressing Gaza and other regional concerns. His office confirmed that Israel would highlight Iran’s missile arsenal.
Israel’s concerns intensified during last year’s conflict, when Iran launched waves of ballistic missiles and other projectiles at Israeli territory, striking both military and civilian targets. While Washington seeks to broaden talks to include Iran’s missile programme and regional militant support, Tehran has so far resisted extending discussions beyond its nuclear activities.
West Bank tensions
The talks come amid international criticism of Israeli measures to tighten control over the occupied West Bank, including permitting settlers to purchase land directly from Palestinian owners. The move was approved by Israel’s security cabinet ahead of Netanyahu’s visit.
A US official stated on Monday that Trump “does not support Israel annexing the West Bank” and is seeking stability, though he has refrained from directly criticising the Israeli government.
Historic encounters
Wednesday marks the sixth meeting between the two leaders on US soil since Trump returned to office in January 2025 — five at the White House and one at Mar-a-Lago in Florida. A seventh encounter occurred in Jerusalem in October, when Trump announced a Gaza ceasefire.
