US President Donald Trump is set to host Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Wednesday, as diplomatic negotiations and regional tensions surrounding Iran’s nuclear ambitions continue to escalate.
The meeting is expected to focus heavily on shaping a potential agreement aimed at curbing Tehran’s nuclear activities while addressing broader security concerns in the Middle East.
Netanyahu is anticipated to urge Trump to pursue a comprehensive deal that extends beyond limiting Iran’s uranium enrichment.
Israeli officials have indicated that the prime minister will also push for strict restrictions on Iran’s ballistic missile development and its support for regional proxy groups, including Hamas and Hezbollah.
Ahead of his departure for Washington, Netanyahu said he would present Israel’s perspective on the key principles guiding the negotiations.
Iran, however, has signalled resistance to some of the broader demands being discussed. Iranian officials have indicated a willingness to limit aspects of the country’s nuclear programme in exchange for relief from economic sanctions but have firmly rejected calls to restrict its missile programme or its support for allied groups across the region.
Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian warned that Tehran would not concede to what he described as excessive external demands, while reiterating that Iran is not seeking to develop nuclear weapons and remains open to verification measures.
The visit marks Netanyahu’s sixth trip to the United States since Trump returned to office, highlighting the close political alignment between the two leaders.
Netanyahu has consistently described Iran as a critical security threat to Israel and has repeatedly urged Washington to adopt a more aggressive approach toward limiting Tehran’s regional influence.
The discussions come as the United States increases its military presence in the Middle East. Trump has warned that military strikes against Iran remain a possibility if negotiations fail or if Tehran continues its crackdown on domestic protests.
The US has already deployed the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group to the region, and Trump has indicated that a second aircraft carrier group may soon follow.
Israeli officials have also emphasised that Israel reserves the right to take independent military action if diplomatic negotiations fail to produce an agreement that satisfies its security concerns.
Analysts suggest Netanyahu faces mounting pressure from hardline members of his government to leverage his close relationship with Trump to secure a wide-ranging deal with Iran.
Experts note that Israel and several US allies fear a potential agreement could prioritise speed over substance, possibly leaving key issues unresolved.
Meanwhile, some analysts argue that Iran’s leadership is currently in a weakened position following mass protests and recent US and Israeli airstrikes targeting nuclear and military facilities last year.
Despite heightened tensions, both Washington and Tehran have publicly stated that diplomatic engagement remains possible.
However, the outcome of the Trump-Netanyahu meeting could play a decisive role in shaping the future of negotiations and the broader security landscape of the Middle East.