Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu to Meet President Trump in Washington Wednesday to Discuss Iran Strategy
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is scheduled to meet with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington, D.C., this coming Wednesday to discuss ongoing diplomatic efforts regarding Iran’s nuclear program. The Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) confirmed the upcoming visit in a statement released on Saturday, emphasizing Israel’s firm stance on potential agreements with Tehran.
The meeting comes at a critical juncture in U.S.-Iran relations, following reports of indirect negotiations between American and Iranian officials. According to the statement released by his office, Prime Minister Netanyahu “believes that any negotiations must include limiting ballistic missiles and halting support for the Iranian axis.” This position highlights Israel’s long-standing demand that any diplomatic resolution must address not only Iran’s nuclear capabilities but also its missile development and regional influence through proxy groups.
The discussions in Washington are expected to focus heavily on the terms of these potential negotiations. Recent reports indicate that U.S. and Iranian envoys held indirect talks in Muscat, Oman, late last week. While the Trump administration has expressed a willingness to explore diplomatic avenues to ensure Iran never acquires a nuclear weapon, Israel has maintained a cautious and often skeptical approach, warning against agreements that might provide economic relief to Tehran without irreversibly dismantling its nuclear infrastructure.
Wednesday’s meeting underscores the close coordination between the Netanyahu government and the Trump administration regarding Middle East security. President Trump, who previously withdrew the United States from the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) during his first term, has reiterated his commitment to preventing a nuclear-armed Iran. However, the current diplomatic overtures suggest a complex strategy involving both pressure and engagement.
Netanyahu is expected to press the President to maintain “maximum pressure” sanctions and to ensure that any future deal encompasses strict oversight of Iran’s ballistic missile program—a component often excluded from previous nuclear-focused talks. The Israeli leader has frequently argued that a deal failing to curb Iran’s missile reach or its funding of regional militias would ultimately destabilize the Middle East further.
Observers in Washington and Jerusalem will be watching the outcome of this meeting closely, as it will likely set the tone for the next phase of U.S. policy in the region. The visit also provides an opportunity for the two leaders to align their strategies amid rising tensions and the ever-present threat of military escalation in the region.
* jpost.com
* streetinsider.com
* iranintl.com
* apnews.com
