Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu will meet US President Donald Trump in Washington to discuss Iran-US nuclear talks, regional security, ballistic missile restrictions, and Tehran’s influence, following indirect negotiations in Oman amid renewed diplomatic and military tensions.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to travel to Washington on Wednesday for high-level discussions with United States President Donald Trump, with renewed Iran–US nuclear negotiations expected to dominate the agenda. The meeting comes at a sensitive moment in Middle East diplomacy, as indirect talks between Washington and Tehran signal a possible reopening of dialogue after months of heightened military tension.
According to a statement released by Netanyahu’s office, the Israeli leader intends to discuss “the negotiations with Iran” and reiterate Israel’s firm stance that any agreement must go beyond nuclear restrictions alone. Netanyahu believes that a credible deal should also impose strict limitations on Iran’s ballistic missile programme and ensure a complete end to Tehran’s support for what Israel describes as the “Iranian axis” — a network of allied militant groups operating across the region.
The announcement follows indirect talks held on Friday in Oman between Iranian and US delegations. While the discussions did not involve direct engagement, they marked a significant diplomatic development after a prolonged freeze in negotiations. President Trump described the talks as “very good,” adding that Iran appeared eager to reach an agreement. He also confirmed that additional discussions are planned for early next week.
These talks represent the first round of engagement between the United States and Iran since Israel launched strikes on Iranian targets in June last year. That confrontation escalated rapidly into a 12-day conflict, during which the United States bombed several of Iran’s key nuclear facilities. The brief but intense war sharply raised fears of a broader regional escalation and effectively halted any remaining diplomatic outreach at the time.
Despite Trump’s positive remarks, observers note that the Oman talks appeared to return negotiations to an early-stage framework, with both sides still divided over how to proceed on Tehran’s nuclear programme. Iran has consistently insisted on sanctions relief as a precondition for deeper commitments, while the US has sought stronger verification mechanisms and longer-term restrictions.
President Trump has repeatedly warned that military force remains an option if Iran fails to agree to curbs on its nuclear activities. In recent months, Washington has increased its military presence in the region, including deploying the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln along with additional warships. These moves coincided with unrest inside Iran, where a government crackdown on nationwide protests reportedly resulted in thousands of deaths.
Netanyahu’s visit is expected to focus on aligning Israeli and American positions ahead of any future breakthrough. Israel has long opposed agreements it views as insufficient to prevent Iran from eventually acquiring nuclear weapons capability. Israeli officials argue that without addressing missile development and regional influence, any nuclear deal would leave major security threats unresolved.
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Trump and Netanyahu last met in December, maintaining a close political relationship despite shifting global dynamics. However, there was no immediate comment from the White House regarding the upcoming meeting, leaving open questions about Washington’s negotiating red lines and willingness to accommodate Israeli concerns.
As diplomatic efforts resume, the Washington meeting is likely to shape the next phase of Iran–US engagement, with regional security, nuclear safeguards, and geopolitical stability hanging in the balance.
