WASHINGTON: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will urge US President Donald Trump on Wednesday to adopt a tougher position in ongoing nuclear talks with Iran, as the two leaders meet at the White House amid heightened tensions in the Middle East.
Netanyahu rushed to Washington for the hastily arranged talks, which are scheduled to begin at 11:00 am local time (1600 GMT) on Wednesday, seeking to reinforce Trump’s resolve as the United States resumes diplomatic engagement with Tehran.
According to AFP, the Israeli leader is expected to push strongly for the inclusion of Iran’s ballistic missile programme in any future agreement.
On the eve of the meeting, Trump said he was weighing the possibility of deploying a second US aircraft carrier strike group to the Middle East as a means of increasing pressure on Iran to reach a deal.
But while Trump has publicly expressed optimism about diplomacy, Netanyahu — making his sixth visit to the United States since Trump returned to office — is expected to press for a significantly harder line against Israel’s long-time regional adversary.
Iran, which resumed nuclear talks with Washington last week in Oman, warned on Monday of “destructive influences” on the diplomatic process ahead of Netanyahu’s visit.
The Israeli prime minister had initially been expected to travel to Washington later this month for a February 19 meeting of Trump’s proposed “Board of Peace” for Gaza, but reports suggest he advanced his trip as US-Iran negotiations gained momentum.
Trump signals pressure, warns of military option
Speaking to the Axios news outlet on Tuesday, Trump said he was “thinking” about sending another US naval force to the region, signaling Washington’s readiness to escalate pressure if talks fail.
“Either we will make a deal or we will have to do something very tough like last time,” Trump said. “We have an armada that is heading there and another one might be going.”
Trump, who ordered US strikes on Iranian nuclear sites during Israel’s 12-day war with Iran last June, later told Fox Business that any future agreement must eliminate both Iran’s nuclear and missile capabilities.
“There will be no nuclear weapons, no missiles,” Trump said, adding that Iran’s leaders “want to make a deal” but insisting that “it’s got to be a good deal.” He accused Tehran of having been “very dishonest” with Washington over the years.
Netanyahu’s objectives
As he departed for Washington, Netanyahu said the talks would focus “first and foremost” on Iran, while also covering Gaza and broader regional developments.
“I will present to the president our views regarding the principles for the negotiations,” Netanyahu said in a video statement. His office confirmed that he would stress Israel’s concerns over Iran’s expanding missile arsenal.
Israel’s fears were sharpened during last year’s unprecedented conflict, when Iran launched waves of ballistic missiles and other projectiles at Israeli territory, striking both military and civilian targets.
While Washington has indicated that it wants Iran’s ballistic missile programme and regional proxy activities addressed, Tehran has so far rejected expanding negotiations beyond its nuclear programme.
West Bank tensions loom over talks
The meeting also comes amid growing international criticism of Israeli steps to tighten control over the occupied West Bank, including a recent decision allowing settlers to directly purchase land from Palestinian owners.
Israel’s security cabinet approved the move shortly before Netanyahu’s Washington visit. It remains unclear whether Trump intends to raise the issue during their discussions.
A US official said on Monday that Trump “does not support Israel annexing the West Bank” and favors regional stability, though the administration has avoided direct public criticism of the Israeli government’s actions.
Frequent high-level engagement
Wednesday’s talks mark the sixth meeting between Trump and Netanyahu on US soil since Trump returned to office in January 2025 — including five White House meetings and one at Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.
A seventh meeting took place in Jerusalem in October, when Trump announced a ceasefire in Gaza.
