Trump, Netanyahu to Meet Wednesday as US-Iran Nuclear Talks Advance/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu will meet President Donald Trump on Wednesday in Washington. The urgent visit follows U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations held in Oman by Trump’s envoys. Israel is seeking assurances that any deal addresses missiles and Iran’s regional influence.
Netanyahu Trump Iran Talks Quick Looks
- Netanyahu moves up Washington visit to meet Trump Wednesday
- Talks focus on U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations
- Visit follows Oman meeting between U.S. envoys and Iran’s foreign minister
- Israel fears a limited nuclear-only deal with Tehran
- Netanyahu wants missile limits and curbs on Iran’s regional proxies
- Visit allows Netanyahu to skip politically sensitive Gaza peace meeting
Deep Look: Trump, Netanyahu to Meet Wednesday as US-Iran Nuclear Negotiations Advance
WASHINGTON — Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to meet Donald Trump on Wednesday after accelerating a planned visit to Washington amid fast-moving negotiations between the United States and Iran.
Netanyahu’s office confirmed the meeting, describing it as urgent and focused on the diplomatic track with Iran. The timing comes just days after Trump’s senior envoys, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, held talks in Oman with Iran’s foreign minister aimed at exploring a potential nuclear agreement.
Why It Matters
Trump said over the weekend that the U.S. and Iran had “very good talks” and suggested Tehran’s current position is more flexible than before last summer’s 12-day conflict. Netanyahu’s sudden decision to advance his trip signals concern in Jerusalem that Washington could pursue a narrow nuclear deal that leaves Israel’s broader security worries unaddressed.
In a statement, Netanyahu’s office stressed that he believes any agreement must go beyond nuclear limits.
“Any negotiations must include restrictions on Iran’s ballistic missile program and an end to its support for the Iranian axis,” the statement said, referring to Tehran-backed militant groups across the region.
Behind the Scenes
Netanyahu had originally planned to meet Trump at the White House on February 18. A U.S. official said the Israeli leader requested on Friday that the meeting be moved up by a week.
The revised schedule also allows Netanyahu to avoid attending a Gaza Board of Peace leaders meeting set for February 19 — a gathering expected to be politically volatile for him at home.
Military Signal in the Background
As diplomacy unfolds, the U.S. has underscored its military leverage. Witkoff and Kushner traveled Saturday to the USS Abraham Lincoln, currently deployed in the Arabian Sea, not far from Iran’s coastline.
They were joined by Brad Cooper, commander of U.S. Central Command, who also participated in the Oman talks.
The aircraft carrier and its strike group would play a central role in any U.S. military action against Iran. A source familiar with the visit said it was intended to remind Tehran that Washington has alternatives if negotiations falter.
What Comes Next
Wednesday’s meeting will give Netanyahu a direct opportunity to press Trump on Israel’s red lines as talks with Iran continue. Whether the U.S. incorporates those concerns into a potential deal could shape regional security — and the future of U.S.-Israel relations — in the months ahead.
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