Trump says Iran nuclear talks are 'very different' this time, weighs sending 2nd aircraft carrier to Middle East

U.S. President Donald Trump said that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu supports reaching a negotiated agreement with the Islamic Republic of Iran ahead of a planned meeting of the two leaders on Wednesday afternoon. 

In an interview with Israeli journalist Barak Ravid, Trump said the current talks are “very different” from the previous round of negotiations, which took place before Israel launched strikes targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities and top scientists, starting a 12-day war, Israel's Operation Rising Lion. 

“Last time they didn't believe I would do it,” Trump said, referring to his decision to strike Iran's nuclear facilities as part of Operation Midnight Hammer in June. “They overplayed their hand.” 

President Trump emphasized that while he prefers a deal, he has been increasing military pressure on the Iranian regime.

“We have an armada that is heading there and another one might be going,” he told Ravid and Axios. Trump also indicated that he is contemplating sending an additional aircraft carrier to increase pressure on the regime. 

Axios reported that an unnamed U.S. official confirmed discussions about sending a second carrier group to the Persian Gulf region.

President Trump also said he believed the pressure would convince Iran to make an agreement. 

“We can make a great deal with Iran,” he said. 

Trump made similar comments during an interview with Fox Business’ Larry Kudlow. 

Asked by Kudlow, “Do you think a deal with Iran, with this current regime, would ever really stick?” Trump responded, “I don’t know. I know one thing, they want to make a deal.” 

🚨 WATCH: Trump on Iran: I prefer there to be a deal, no nuclear, no missiles, no other things. pic.twitter.com/LXxZkJ2gAg

— Raylan Givens (@JewishWarrior13) February 10, 2026

Trump told Axios that rather than being alarmed by the negotiations with Iran, Netanyahu wants to see “a good deal.” 

“I don't think Netanyahu is out of the negotiations with Iran. He also wants a deal. He wants a good deal,” Trump told Axios. 

Aboard the Wing of Zion plane en route to the U.S., Prime Minister Netanyahu told reporters that he intends to present Trump with “principles for negotiations” that are important not only to Israel’s security interests, "but to everyone who wants peace and security.”

The concern in Israel is that the negotiations between Iran and the United States will focus only on the nuclear issue and will not include the issue of ballistic missiles. Netanyahu reportedly hopes to emphasize Israel’s red lines in his personal meeting with Trump. 

According to reports in Hebrew media, Netanyahu will express Israel’s desire for zero uranium enrichment, the transfer out of Iran of the approximately 400 kg (900 lbs) of highly enriched uranium which was the target of Operation Midnight Hammer, allowing full access by inspectors from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), including remote monitoring and surprise inspections, as well as tight restrictions on Iran’s ballistic missile program. 

Netanyahu hopes that Trump will insist on Israel's security demands, even though it is clear that the Islamic Republic will likely reject them. 

Netanyahu is expected to request limits on both the range and quantity of Iran’s ballistic missiles. The Iranian regime has increased production of ballistic missiles since the end of Operation Rising Lion.

The issue of ballistic missiles is a key concern for Israel, given the possibility of the regime overwhelming Israeli air defenses or exhausting its supply of interceptors based on the large number of ballistic missiles in the regime’s possession. 

On Tuesday, Netanyahu met with U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner at Blair House in Washington after his arrival, as a prelude to his meeting with Trump on Wednesday.