After meeting PM Netanyahu, Trump insists ‘that negotiations with Iran continue’

U.S. President Donald Trump said during his meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, he “insisted that negotiations with Iran continue.” 

Netanyahu met with Trump Wednesday evening at the White House, where the two leaders discussed the current situation with Iran, the American negotiation efforts, as well as the situation in Gaza. 

Unlike previous meetings between the two leaders, there was no press conference before or after the meeting, with the two instead releasing statements afterwards.

Following the meeting, President Trump posted a message to his Truth Social platform, in which he said “nothing definitive” was decided. 

“I have just finished meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu, of Israel, and various of his Representatives,” Trump wrote. “It was a very good meeting, the tremendous relationship between our two Countries continues.” 

“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 continued. “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.” 

President Trump also gave a warning to Iran that he is leaving the military option on the table, even as he pushes for negotiations. 

“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. Hopefully this time they will be more reasonable and responsible.” 

Hebrew media reported that Netanyahu requested any strike also target Iran’s ballistic missile stockpile.

The Prime Minister's Office released a statement shortly after the meeting ended, saying the meeting covered the Iran negotiations, Gaza, and regional developments. 

“Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has just concluded the meeting at the White House with US President Donald Trump and his team,” the statement read. “The Prime Minister emphasized the security needs of the State of Israel in the context of the negotiations, and the two leaders agreed on continued coordination and the close contact between them.” 

In parallel with the talks between Netanyahu and Trump, the Pentagon is preparing to deploy a second aircraft carrier in the Middle East as part of increasing American pressure on Iran, the Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday. According to the report, Trump is intensifying his messages toward Tehran while increasing military deterrence alongside the diplomatic track. 

The Pentagon instructed a second aircraft carrier, likely the USS George H. W. Bush carrier group, to prepare for deployment to the Middle East, the Wall Street Journal reported. The carrier is completing a series of training exercises off the coast of Virginia, and could potentially deploy within two weeks, meaning it would take at least three weeks from now to arrive in the Middle East.

Netanyahu and Trump have met repeatedly since Trump returned to the White House, as the situation in Gaza and tensions with Iran have demanded the U.S. president’s attention. While there has been a high level of coordination between the two, the recent meeting ended without clarity regarding Israel’s request to add Iran’s ballistic missile program to the issues on the negotiating table. 

However, assessments in both Israel and the United States are that the Iranian regime is running out of time. 

Shortly before the meeting, a senior Israeli official expressed doubts about the agreement to Hebrew media, saying “Israel does not believe in the agreement, and this is the message that will be conveyed to Trump.” 

"CLEAR: It’s very significant that President Trump just had his 7th meeting with PM Netanyahu in just one year. Strong allies," commented All Israel News Editor-in-Chief, Joel Rosenberg, on 𝕏.

"NOT YET CLEAR: How will Trump handle the Tyrants in Tehran? What’s the best way to advance US national security interests in Iran? Pray for wisdom."

Before the meeting with Trump, Netanyahu met at Blair House with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio. During the meeting, the Prime Minister signed a letter of agreement to join the Board of Peace, which is to hold its first meeting next week. 

Netanyahu was originally scheduled to go to Washington next week for the AIPAC conference. At present, it is not known whether he still plans to return to Washington for those meetings.