Trump and Netanyahu meet on Iran, but no deal emerges; both stress continued talks as tensions with Tehran remain high
In a much‑anticipated meeting at the White House on Wednesday, US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wrapped up discussions on Iran without reaching any definitive agreement on how to move forward, a result that reflects ongoing tensions and deep differences between the longtime allies.
The two leaders spent more than two and a half hours behind closed doors in what Trump later described as “a very good meeting.” But despite the hopeful tone, there was no clear breakthrough on a shared strategy toward Tehran, particularly around efforts to curb Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
Taking to his social media platform after the talks, Trump wrote: “There was nothing definitive reached other than I insisted that negotiations with Iran continue to see whether or not a deal can be consummated.” He added, “If it can, I let the Prime Minister know that will be a preference. If it cannot, we will just have to see what the outcome will be.”
Trump’s message makes clear his preference for continuing diplomatic engagement with Iran over its nuclear programme—even as Washington maintains the military muscle to pressure Tehran if talks fail.
Israel, for its part, has long viewed a nuclear‑armed Iran as an existential threat and has been pushing for broader conditions in any agreement, including curbs on Tehran’s ballistic missile programme and its support for militant groups in the region. Reuters reported that Netanyahu stressed Israel’s “security needs” during the meeting, and that both leaders agreed to stay in close coordination.
The subdued nature of the day’s events—with no joint press conference and few public details—underscored how tricky the Iran issue remains. Tehran has shown willingness to negotiate some aspects of its nuclear activities but has ruled out discussions on missiles or regional influence, complicating efforts to achieve a comprehensive deal.
Beyond Iran, Trump and Netanyahu also touched on developments in Gaza and wider Middle East dynamics during their talks, but stopped short of announcing any new initiatives.
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