Netanyahu to meet Trump in Washington to press Iran negotiating demands

Benjamin Netanyahu will travel to Washington to meet President Donald Trump on Wednesday to press Israeli demands as the United States engages in renewed talks with Iran, Netanyahu’s office announced on Feb. 7. The prime minister’s office said “the prime minister believes that all negotiations must include limiting the ballistic missiles, and ending support for the Iranian axis,” language that frames Jerusalem’s core red lines as diplomacy resumes.

The announcement came as indirect U.S.-Iran talks took place in Muscat, Oman, the prior Friday, where U.S. envoys and Iranian interlocutors signaled an intent to continue discussions. President Trump called the talks “very good” and said more were planned “for early next week.” Washington’s delegation to Muscat included Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who played roles as special envoys in the opening rounds.

Jerusalem’s timing reflects acute Israeli concern that any U.S.-Iran agreement could fall short on missiles and Tehran’s backing for proxy groups. Israeli commentary cited by Ynet conveyed a wary tone: “Israel believes the Americans ‘are not naive’ and will not allow Iran to stall,” yet officials also worry the president “ultimately wants a deal and may compromise on at least some demands.” One Israeli official quoted by Ynet said, “Israel will not give up its principles and hopes the Americans will stand firm on the basic conditions for a good agreement.”

Iranian rhetoric has hardened even as talks proceed. Officials reported that Iran’s foreign minister threatened U.S. military bases in the region a day after the Muscat meeting. Separately, a senior Iranian diplomat identified as Araghchi, speaking at a forum in Qatar, accused Israel of “destabilizing the region,” saying that it “breaches sovereignties, it assassinates official dignitaries, it conducts terrorist operations, it expands its reach in multiple theaters.” He urged “comprehensive and targeted sanctions against Israel, including an immediate arms embargo.” These public rebukes complicate an already tense environment for diplomacy.

Israeli planning documents and assessments circulating in Jerusalem, as reported by local outlets, describe preparations across multiple scenarios in the event of conflict. That coverage said Israel believes there is “a high likelihood Iran would strike Israel if it were attacked by the United States,” and that Israeli planners are preparing “a very severe blow against Iran,” characterized in quoted language as “a strike the Iranians cannot imagine.” Such planning underscores the military and political stakes that will shadow the Washington meeting.

The bilateral meeting will also test Washington’s ability to reconcile Israeli security priorities with its own negotiation strategy toward Tehran. Jerusalem has moved up the encounter from a previously expected date, reflecting the sense of urgency among Israeli officials. It would be the seventh meeting between the two leaders since the president returned to office in January last year, underscoring the personal role each leader has played in steering U.S.-Israeli coordination.

There was no immediate White House comment on the Netanyahu announcement. With indirect talks continuing in Muscat and Iranian officials issuing stark warnings, the Washington meeting could be decisive for whether the United States adopts Israel’s missile and proxy constraints as negotiating conditions - or pursues a narrower nuclear deal that risks widening regional fault lines.