Trump and Netanyahu end White House talks without a clear path on Iran

WASHINGTON — US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu concluded nearly three hours of closed-door talks at the White House on February 11 without reaching a clear agreement on how to move forward with Iran, highlighting ongoing disagreements over diplomacy and security strategy.

Trump said: “Nothing final has been reached other than my insistence on continuing negotiations with Iran to see whether the agreement can be completed or not.” Books on social truth Shortly after the meeting. “If that’s the case, I’m letting the Prime Minister know that that would be the preference. If not, we’ll just have to see what the outcome is.”

The meeting, the seventh since Trump returned to office, was held completely behind closed doors, a departure from previous visits by Netanyahu that included joint appearances and press conferences. Neither leader took questions from reporters, and no joint statement was issued.

According to a brief statement from Netanyahu’s office, the two leaders “discussed negotiations with Iran, Gaza, and regional developments.”

The statement added that Netanyahu “stressed Israel’s security needs in the context of the negotiations,” and that the two sides agreed to maintain close coordination and continuous communication. He did not indicate that any decisions had been made.

The Iranian nuclear program remains a central point of tension between Washington and Israel.

Israel claims that Tehran is working to build a nuclear weapon – a claim Iran has repeatedly denied – and considers Iran’s ballistic missile program and support for regional militant groups an existential threat.

Satellite images appear to show entrances to Iranian nuclear sites buried under tons of soil and a noticeable increase in US forces in the area, as tensions rise over possible US strikes.

Netanyahu and key members of his ruling coalition have long called for a tougher stance against Tehran, with some calling for regime change in the Islamic Republic.

By contrast, Trump indicated his continued preference for diplomacy, even as he warned of the potential consequences if the talks failed.

“The last time Iran decided it was better not to make a deal, they got hammered at midnight — and it wasn’t good for them,” Trump wrote in his Truth Social post on February 11, referring to the US strike on Iranian nuclear facilities in June. “I hope this time they will be more rational and responsible.”

The White House meeting came against the backdrop of escalating regional tensions and conflicting signals from Tehran.

Earlier on February 11, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said that his country is open to accepting international inspectors to verify that its nuclear program is “peaceful,” on the occasion of the forty-seventh anniversary of the Islamic Revolution with a message aimed at alleviating international concerns.

“We are not seeking nuclear weapons,” Pezeshkian said during anniversary celebrations that followed the deadly crackdown on mass anti-government protests last month. “We have stated this repeatedly and we are ready for any verification.” Security forces reportedly killed thousands of people during the unrest, sparking strong condemnation from Washington and its allies.

Videos posted on February 10 and 11 showed fireworks in Tehran to mark the anniversary, although many Iranians mourned the dead. In some clips, voices could be heard chanting “Death to the dictator” and “Death to Khamenei,” in reference to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.

The campaign sparked sharp criticism from the United States and contributed to a large US naval buildup in the region. “We have a fleet headed there and another fleet may be headed,” Trump said in an interview with Axios on February 10, describing one of the largest US deployments in years.

Diplomatic efforts continued in parallel. After talks between American and Iranian teams in Amman on February 6, Washington imposed additional sanctions targeting the Iranian oil sector. Further negotiations are expected, although no date has been announced.

Netanyahu’s visit to Washington came in the wake of these developments. Before his meeting at the White House, his office said he wanted any talks with Iran to address not only its nuclear program, but also its ballistic missile activities and support for its armed proxies in Lebanon, Iraq and Yemen.

Alexander Gray, who served on the National Security Council during Trump’s first term, told RFE/RL that these issues — rather than efforts to directly support the Iranian opposition — would likely determine whether military action would be considered.

“He doesn’t want to see these brutal crackdowns,” Gray said. “But I think the president is a realist, too.” “From the standpoint of the fundamental interest of the United States, as much as we condemn horrific human rights violations, I believe we are more likely to be effective in calling for changes in their proxy behavior and their missile and nuclear programs.”

US Vice President J.D. Vance echoed this position on February 11 while leaving Azerbaijan.

He said: “If the Iranian people want to overthrow the regime, it is up to the Iranian people. What we are focusing on now is the fact that Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon. This has been the focus of the president’s policy, even going back to the first administration.”

For now, Trump appears intent on testing the diplomatic path, even as Israel signals its deep reservations and US forces remain stationed in the region.

Alex Pletsas, a former senior Pentagon official who now works at the Atlantic Council, said Trump’s approach mirrors previous incidents in which the president linked an apparent military buildup to space for negotiations.

“President Trump’s statement following today’s meeting is consistent with his recent comments about using Venezuela as a surrogate,” Pletsas told RFE/RL, referring to a strategy in which “the administration deployed significant force but gave time for negotiations.”

Pletsas said he expected talks with Tehran to continue “unless an acceptable breakthrough is reached on a nuclear agreement that would make room for additional points of concern – such as ballistic missiles or if it appears that an agreement cannot be reached.”

Administration officials remain concerned after Iran previously rejected what they viewed as a generous offer, “but the president still appears ready to try diplomacy again,” Plitsas noted.

It remains uncertain whether negotiations — and Pezeshkian’s stated openness to inspections — can narrow the gap between Washington and Israel.