Donald Trump has said that he is still seeking a deal with Iran to prevent it from developing nuclear weapons, following a three-hour meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The meeting, Netanyahu’s sixth at the White House since Trump returned to office, ended without public remarks, with Trump announcing the outcome on Truth Social.
“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. “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.”
The US has massed forces in the Middle East, threatening a major strike against Iran’s nuclear programme, leadership and military. Trump said this week he was considering sending another aircraft carrier to join the USS Abraham Lincoln. Israel has called for broader limits, including on Iran’s ballistic missile programme and support for regional allies.
Senior US and Iranian envoys met in Oman last week, addressing only Iran’s nuclear programme, as Tehran insisted its ballistic missile programme and regional support were off the table. Iran’s president, Masoud Pezeshkian, denied seeking a nuclear weapon and expressed willingness to negotiate, but cited a “high wall of mistrust” with the US and Europe.
Trump’s online post referenced past strikes: “Last time Iran decided that they were better off not making a Deal, and they were hit with Midnight Hammer – That did not work well for them.” The UN’s nuclear watchdog has been unable to verify Iran’s nuclear stockpile for months.
