Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with U.S. President Donald Trump at the White House on Tuesday to discuss ongoing U.S. diplomacy with Iran. The nearly three-hour closed-door session focused on Tehran’s nuclear program and regional activities, following recent indirect talks held in Oman.
Trump described the meeting as “very good” but confirmed that no definitive agreement was reached on a strategy for handling Iran. He reiterated that U.S.–Iran negotiations would continue, emphasizing diplomacy as the primary approach while keeping military options on the table.
Netanyahu pressed Trump to broaden negotiations to include Iran’s ballistic missile program and its support for armed groups such as Hezbollah and Hamas, which Israel views as critical threats. Tehran has refused to discuss these issues in the current nuclear-focused talks.
The meeting comes amid heightened regional tensions, with the U.S. reinforcing its military presence in the Middle East, including carrier strike groups, and Iran threatening retaliation in response to any escalation.
Separately, Trump and the Emir of Qatar discussed efforts to reduce regional tensions, while Israel announced it would join Trump’s “Board of Peace” initiative, aimed at Gaza reconstruction, though the framework has drawn criticism for excluding Palestinian representatives.
Analysts said the talks underscored a strategic gap between the U.S. and Israel: Washington is focused first on nuclear constraints, while Israel seeks broader security guarantees. Despite ongoing diplomacy, the risk of military confrontation remains in the region.