Washington D.C. – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington on Wednesday, , to discuss ongoing American negotiations with Iran, amid heightened regional tensions. The meeting comes as Iran’s foreign minister has threatened attacks on U.S. Military bases in the region, following a recent round of indirect talks in Oman.
Netanyahu’s office stated that the Prime Minister believes any negotiations with Iran must include limitations on ballistic missiles and an end to Tehran’s support for regional militant groups, specifically referencing Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in the Palestinian territories. The two leaders last met in December.
The U.S. And Iran held indirect talks in Muscat, Oman, on , which appeared to revert to initial positions regarding Iran’s nuclear program. President Trump described the talks as “very good” and indicated further discussions are planned for early next week. The U.S. Delegation was led by Middle East special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, Trump’s son-in-law.
The scheduled meeting between Netanyahu and Trump underscores Israel’s deep concern over the potential for a renewed nuclear agreement with Iran. Israel has consistently advocated for a more comprehensive approach to negotiations, encompassing not only Iran’s nuclear activities but also its ballistic missile program and regional influence. This position reflects a long-held belief that a nuclear-armed Iran, or even a Iran with a robust missile program, would destabilize the region and pose an existential threat to Israel.
President Trump has repeatedly threatened military action to compel Iran to reach a deal acceptable to the United States, a stance reinforced by the deployment of the USS Abraham Lincoln aircraft carrier and other warships to the region. This military build-up coincides with a period of internal unrest in Iran, following a crackdown on nationwide protests that reportedly resulted in thousands of deaths.
The recent indirect talks in Oman involved the United States and Iran attempting to find a path forward on Tehran’s nuclear program. However, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has signaled a lack of trust in the process, citing past experiences and alleging that the U.S. Has not demonstrated a commitment to good-faith negotiations. Araghchi also stated that Iran’s missile capabilities are “not negotiable,” and that discussions would focus solely on its nuclear program.
According to Araghchi, if attacked by the U.S., Iran lacks the capacity to directly strike American territory and would instead retaliate by targeting U.S. Military bases in the region. This statement represents a significant escalation in rhetoric and underscores the potential for a wider conflict.
Regional Gulf nations are reportedly concerned that escalating tensions could trigger a broader regional war. This concern is rooted in historical conflicts and the complex web of alliances and rivalries in the Middle East. The involvement of top U.S. Military leadership in the recent negotiations – specifically, the participation of the commander of U.S. Central Command, Admiral Brad Cooper, and his subsequent visit to the USS Abraham Lincoln alongside Witkoff and Kushner – highlights the seriousness with which the U.S. Views the situation.
Diplomatic efforts are also underway, with reports of a proposal from Egypt, Turkey, and Qatar to Iran. This proposal reportedly calls for Iran to halt uranium enrichment for three years, ship highly enriched uranium abroad, and pledge not to pursue ballistic missile development. However, it remains unclear whether Iran will consider such a proposal.
U.S. Senator Marco Rubio has argued that any negotiations with Iran must address all of these issues – nuclear activities, ballistic missiles, and regional support for militant groups – echoing Israel’s position. The U.S. And Israel share a common assessment that Iran is pursuing nuclear weapons capabilities, a claim Iran denies.
During a recent forum in Qatar, Araghchi accused Israel of destabilizing the region, alleging violations of national sovereignty, assassinations of officials, and expansion of military operations. He also criticized Israel’s treatment of Palestinians and called for comprehensive sanctions against Israel, including an immediate arms embargo.
The upcoming meeting between Netanyahu and Trump is expected to be a critical moment in shaping the future of U.S. Policy towards Iran. It remains to be seen whether the two leaders can bridge their differences and forge a unified approach to addressing the challenges posed by Iran’s nuclear program and regional activities. The outcome of their discussions will have significant implications for the stability of the Middle East and the broader international order.