Netanyahu to Meet Trump in US Amid High-Stakes Iran Talks on Ballistic Missiles

Netanyahu to Meet Trump in US: A Critical Juncture for Iran Diplomacy

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to travel to the United States for an anticipated meeting with President Donald Trump. This visit comes as President Trump confirms his administration's intent to pursue further discussions with Iran, following recent indirect talks in Oman. The upcoming meeting between the two leaders is poised to place the contentious issue of Iran's ballistic missile program at the forefront, a topic Tehran has consistently labeled as a “red line.”

Israel's Stance: Demanding Limitations and Regional De-escalation

According to the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office (PMO), the agenda for Netanyahu’s discussions with Trump will specifically address the ongoing US-Iran negotiations. Netanyahu holds a firm belief that Tehran must face pressure regarding “limitations on ballistic missiles” and be compelled to cease its backing of regional militant groups, notably Hamas and Hezbollah. Analysts anticipate that during what will be their seventh meeting since President Trump took office last year, Netanyahu will strongly advocate for the US to press Iran on its missile capabilities.

Iran's Position: Nuclear Focus, Missile Sovereignty

Conversely, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has unequivocally stated that any discussions must remain confined to the nuclear issue. He has consistently characterized Iran’s missile program as “non-negotiable,” asserting it falls outside the scope of international dialogue. Echoing this sentiment, President Masoud Pezeshkian lauded the recent Omani talks as a “step forward,” confirming his administration's openness to dialogue. However, Pezeshkian underscored Iran’s commitment to its nuclear rights under the Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT), warning that while Iran responds to respect with respect, it “cannot withstand the language of force.” Iranian officials have repeatedly signaled their readiness for nuclear-centric negotiations, even as they firmly reject any significant US military buildup in the region.

US Diplomacy and Escalating Pressure

Despite shared antagonism towards Iran, Israel has adopted an even more unyielding stance on the negotiations compared to the United States. President Trump recently described the last round of talks in Oman as “very good,” suggesting Iran “looks like it wants to make a deal very badly.” However, he also issued a stark warning: “If they don’t make a deal, the consequences are very steep.” These diplomatic overtures follow weeks of heightened tension, during which Trump threatened military action and demonstrated resolve by deploying an aircraft carrier and accompanying warships to the Middle East. Such moves have intensified fears among world powers and regional states that a breakdown in negotiations could trigger broader conflict across the oil-producing region.

Building Trust: A Long Road Ahead

Iranian Minister Araghchi, while calling the talks with the US “a good start,” acknowledged “there is a long way to go to build trust.” Trita Parsi, co-founder of the Quincy Institute for Responsible Statecraft, a prominent foreign policy think tank, highlighted the precarious balance of the US-Iran discussions. Parsi suggested that the ultimate success of these talks hinges on whether Washington prioritizes achievable nuclear demands or if it leans towards adopting Israel’s “maximalist position” – specifically, the insistence on curbing Iran’s ballistic missile program. “If we see a continuation of the pursuit of Israeli red lines, I presume that those talks will collapse very shortly,” Parsi cautioned Al Jazeera, underscoring the critical nature of the upcoming diplomatic engagements, including whenNetanyahu to meet Trump in US to discuss Iran, says Israeli PM.