Iran appears rattled as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has arrived in the US to meet President Donald Trump, right in the middle of crucial nuclear negotiations between Tehran and Washington. Iranian officials fear that Netanyahu, who landed in Washington yesterday, would try to derail the fragile diplomatic momentum generated during the recent indirect talks in Oman.
“I will present Trump with principles for negotiations with Iran that are important not only to Israel but to everyone who wants peace and security,” said Netanyahu. “In my opinion, these are important principles for everyone who wants peace and security in the Middle East.” Netanyahu is likely to meet with Trump and other senior officials at 11 am (local time) today.
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Tehran has warned Washington not to allow Israel to “thwart” a potential agreement on Iran’s nuclear programme. Ali Larijani, head of Iran’s Supreme National Security Council, urged the United States to remain alert to what he described as Israel’s “destructive role” and cautioned against allowing Netanyahu’s “posturing” to dictate the framework of negotiations.
Iran’s negotiating position remains firm. Tehran has informed mediators that it will not discuss its ballistic missile programme or its support for regional proxy forces, insisting that talks remain strictly confined to the nuclear file. This stance is rooted in Iran’s post-conflict defence doctrine following the so-called “12-day war” of June 2025. After Israeli and American strikes reportedly damaged significant portions of Iran’s air defence infrastructure, the regime now views its ballistic missile arsenal as its most vital remaining deterrent. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi has therefore declared the missile programme “never negotiable”. Even if Washington pushes for broader discussions, Tehran has signalled it will not compromise on this point.
At the same time, Iran is attempting to separate the nuclear issue from wider regional tensions. Tehran is open to strict limitations and monitoring of its nuclear programme, but it has reiterated that domestic uranium enrichment is a sovereign right. The head of Iran’s atomic energy authority has hinted at a possible concession by diluting stocks enriched to 60 per cent purity. This tightrope walk is taking place amid significant domestic pressure. The government faces economic strain, internal dissent and criticism from reformist voices who argue that the current approach strengthens hardline factions and increases the risk of confrontation.
Netanyahu’s decision to move up his Washington visit so that it precedes the next round of US–Iran talks is widely seen as an attempt to shape American strategy before any agreement takes form. Israeli officials describe the meeting as a “strategy-shaping session” aimed at ensuring that Washington adopts a tougher negotiating framework. Netanyahu is expected to present President Donald Trump with a set of guiding “principles” which, he argues, are essential to securing long-term stability in the region.
His central concern is that the US might settle for a narrow agreement confined to the nuclear file while leaving Iran’s missile capabilities and regional networks untouched. Israel’s core demands include a complete halt to uranium enrichment, strict limits on Iran’s ballistic missile programme and a full cessation of support for proxy groups such as Hezbollah and Hamas. To strengthen his case, Netanyahu is reportedly bringing new intelligence assessments suggesting that Iran is rapidly rebuilding its missile stockpiles. Israeli officials warn that, without further constraints, Iran could soon possess between 1,800 and 2,000 ballistic missiles.
Netanyahu is also preparing for the possibility that diplomacy fails. Discussions in Washington are expected to include contingency planning, including the prospect of American military action if negotiations collapse. Israel is determined to preserve its operational freedom regardless of any agreement Washington might sign. Members of Netanyahu’s cabinet have reiterated that Israel reserves the right to act unilaterally should an eventual deal fall short of its security requirements. Domestically, the visit allows Netanyahu to project himself as the indispensable leader capable of confronting Iran and managing relations with Washington, a narrative that carries weight as elections approach.
Meanwhile, the Trump White House is trying to reach a deal with Tehran by combining diplomatic pressure and military threat. Indirect talks conducted through envoys such as Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner suggest that Washington is interested in reaching an agreement. Yet the scope of that agreement remains unclear. Vice President JD Vance has stated that there are “no red lines at this stage”, although he added that President Trump seeks a broad understanding.
Trump himself, however, has indicated flexibility. When asked whether a nuclear-only deal would suffice, he replied that it would be acceptable provided Iran does not obtain nuclear weapons. This comment implies that Washington may be willing to prioritise non-proliferation above other Israeli concerns, potentially sidelining the missile and proxy issues central to Netanyahu’s position.
Publicly, American officials continue to emphasise alignment with Israel. Ambassador Mike Huckabee has insisted that there are no significant gaps between the two countries and has spoken of “extraordinary alignment” on core red lines. At the same time, the US has reinforced its military posture in the region, deploying naval assets to underscore that diplomacy is backed by credible force. Trump has previously signalled a willingness to authorise strikes in response to Iranian actions.
Ultimately, the administration appears focused on preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, though it remains uncertain whether Trump shares Netanyahu’s sense of urgency regarding Iran’s conventional missile arsenal and regional influence. Most reports point to Trump's willingness to conclude a limited nuclear deal in exchange for sanctions relief, which would give him an opportunity to claim victory. It would, however, be a major setback for Netanyahu.
The forthcoming meeting between Trump and Netanyahu will therefore determine whether Washington adopts Israel’s broader negotiating principles or proceeds with a narrower diplomatic track that Tehran might find more acceptable. The decision will shape not only the trajectory of US–Iran talks but also the wider balance between deterrence and diplomacy in the Middle East.