Trump urges continuation of Iran Nuclear talks after meeting Netanyahu

US President Donald Trump said he pressed for continued negotiations with Iran during a White House meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday, February 11, as diplomatic efforts to curb Tehran’s nuclear programme intensify.

Speaking after the closed-door talks, Trump described the meeting as “very good” but said no final agreement had been reached.

“There was nothing definitive reached other than I insisted that negotiations with Iran continue to see whether or not a deal can be consummated,” Trump wrote on Truth Social.

He said a diplomatic resolution remains his preference, but cautioned that “if a deal cannot be reached, we will just have to see what the outcome will be.”

Netanyahu’s visit — his sixth to the United States since Trump returned to office — comes amid heightened tensions in the Middle East and growing pressure over Iran’s nuclear activities.

The Israeli prime minister has consistently argued that Iran poses an existential threat to Israel and is believed to have urged Trump to pursue a broader agreement that goes beyond uranium enrichment to include limits on Iran’s ballistic missile programme and its backing of regional proxy groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah.

In a statement issued ahead of the trip, Netanyahu’s office said any deal must address “the security needs of the State of Israel,” including missile capabilities and Iran’s regional influence.

Iran has indicated willingness to limit aspects of its nuclear programme in exchange for sanctions relief but has rejected demands tied to its missile development and support for allied groups in the region

Ahead of the Washington meeting, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian warned that Tehran would “not yield to excessive demands.” Speaking at a rally in Tehran marking the 47th anniversary of the Islamic Revolution, he maintained that Iran was not seeking nuclear weapons and was open to verification.

“We have stated repeatedly that we are not pursuing nuclear weapons and are prepared for verification,” Pezeshkian said, while also insisting Iran would not bow to external pressure.

Netanyahu met earlier with Trump’s special envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner, who reportedly briefed him on initial discussions held with Iranian officials last week.

The diplomatic push comes as the US expands its military presence in the region. Trump has warned Iran of possible strikes if talks fail and said he is considering deploying an additional aircraft carrier strike group to the Middle East. The USS Abraham Lincoln was sent to the region last month amid escalating tensions

Analysts say Israel is wary that Washington could prioritise securing a deal quickly over addressing broader security concerns.

“Israel is concerned that in the rush to secure an agreement, key issues like Iran’s missile programme and support for proxy groups may not be fully addressed,” said Daniel Byman, a professor at Georgetown University.

Others note that Iran may be negotiating from a weakened position following domestic unrest and last year’s joint US-Israeli air campaign targeting its military and nuclear facilities.