Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to meet US President Donald Trump on Wednesday in Washington to push for a tougher approach in nuclear negotiations with Iran. The visit, Netanyahu’s sixth to the US since Trump took office, comes amid ongoing US-Iran talks in Oman. Netanyahu aims to press the US for a hardline stance on Iran’s ballistic missile program in addition to nuclear issues.
Ahead of the meeting, Trump said he is considering sending a second US “armada” to the Middle East to pressure Tehran, emphasizing that any deal must ensure “no nuclear weapons, no missiles.” Trump noted that while Iran may want a deal, it must be a “good deal,” citing past dishonesty by Tehran.
Netanyahu’s discussions will primarily focus on Iran but also cover Gaza and other regional matters. He plans to highlight Israel’s concerns over Iran’s missile arsenal, which played a major role during last year’s conflict when Iran launched multiple ballistic missiles targeting Israeli military and civilian areas. While the US seeks to expand talks to include Iran’s missile program and support for regional militant groups, Iran has so far limited negotiations to the nuclear issue.
The visit also occurs amid international criticism of Israeli measures in the West Bank, allowing settlers to buy land directly from Palestinians. While Trump reportedly does not support annexation, he has so far refrained from criticizing Israel directly.
This meeting marks the sixth encounter between Netanyahu and Trump on US soil since January 2025, with previous meetings at the White House, Mar-a-Lago, and one in Jerusalem where Trump announced a Gaza ceasefire.
