Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to meet U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington on Wednesday, with discussions expected to focus on Iran’s nuclear programme and recent indirect talks between Washington and Tehran.
Netanyahu’s office said the Israeli leader believes any negotiations with Iran must go beyond uranium enrichment and include limits on Iran’s ballistic missile programme, as well as an end to Tehran’s support for allied militant groups across the Middle East.
The meeting comes days after indirect US–Iran talks in Oman appeared to circle back to fundamental disagreements over how negotiations should proceed.
Trump described the Oman talks as “very good” and said further discussions were planned for early next week. The US delegation was led by Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff alongside Jared Kushner, the president’s son-in-law.
Despite the diplomatic push, Trump has repeatedly threatened military action if Iran refuses to accept a new nuclear deal, while reinforcing US military presence in the region with additional warships and an aircraft carrier.
Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi responded sharply over the weekend, saying US military deployments “do not scare” Tehran. He insisted Iran would not abandon uranium enrichment, even under the threat of war, and reiterated that Iran’s missile programme was “never negotiable.”
Araghchi also warned that Iran would target US bases in the region if attacked, citing deep distrust following last year’s conflict, when US strikes hit Iranian nuclear facilities during fighting between Israel and Iran.
While calling the talks a “good start,” Araghchi said rebuilding trust would take time, accusing the United States and Israel of pursuing a “doctrine of domination” that allows Israel to expand its military capabilities while pressuring others to disarm.
With talks set to resume soon, Netanyahu’s meeting with Trump is expected to shape Washington’s next steps as diplomatic efforts with Tehran remain fragile and highly contested.
