EditNetanyahu pushes Trump on Iran: analyzing U.S. hesitations and regional dynamics
The two leaders spoke behind closed doors in what the U.S. President described as a "very good meeting" but said no major decisions were made
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s White House visit on Wednesday underscores a pivotal moment in U.S.-Israel relations, as he seeks to influence President Donald Trump’s nascent diplomacy with Iran.
This seventh meeting in 13 months comes amid fragile U.S.-Iran nuclear talks in Oman, highlighting Netanyahu’s determination to broaden negotiations beyond the nuclear program to encompass Iran’s ballistic missiles and proxy networks.
Trump said after talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Wednesday they reached no “definitive” agreement on how to move forward with Iran but he insisted negotiations with Tehran would continue to see if a deal can be achieved.
Netanyahu stressed that Israel’s security interests must be taken into account but offered no sign that the president made the commitments he sought.
Trump has threatened strikes on Iran if no agreement is reached, while Tehran has vowed to retaliate, stoking fears of a wider war as the U.S. amasses forces in the Middle East. He has repeatedly voiced support for a secure Israel, a longstanding U.S. ally and arch-foe of Iran.
The two leaders spoke behind closed doors for more than two and a half hours in what Trump described as a “very good meeting” but said no major decisions were made and stopped short of publicly accepting Netanyahu’s entreaties.
Analytically, this push reflects Israel’s existential fears of a resurgent Iran, while exposing Trump’s cautious balancing act between aggressive rhetoric and pragmatic deal-making, all against a backdrop of shifting Middle East alliances.
At the core is Trump’s hesitation to fully commit to Israel’s expansive demands. While Trump has vowed “something very tough” if Iran rejects a deal – hinting at military strikes and deploying a second aircraft carrier group – he remains vague on incorporating missile limits or proxy restraints.
This ambiguity stems from multiple factors: domestically, Trump prioritizes quick wins to bolster his image ahead of midterms, viewing a “no-brainer” nuclear accord as achievable without alienating isolationist supporters wary of endless entanglements. Strategically, broadening talks risks derailing progress, as Iran has firmly ruled out missile discussions, framing its program as defensive.
Trump’s past restraint – threatening but withholding strikes during Iran’s domestic protests last month – suggests a preference for leverage over escalation, especially after the U.S.-backed June 2025 strikes on Iranian facilities that damaged but did not destroy Tehran’s capabilities. Analysts see this as Trump hedging: eager to claim a diplomatic victory like his first-term Abraham Accords, yet mindful of economic fallout from a wider war, including oil price spikes that could harm U.S. consumers.
Trump hesitated on Iran strike amid diplomatic overtures and military cautions
Netanyahu’s position is unyielding, driven by Israel’s intelligence assessments of Iran rebuilding its missile arsenal post-strikes. He aims to “present our perceptions of the principles in the negotiations,” pushing for a comprehensive deal that neuters Iran’s support for proxies like Hezbollah, Hamas, and the Houthis.
This stance is rooted in Israel’s security doctrine: viewing Iran as an existential threat, Netanyahu’s far-right coalition amplifies calls for preemptive action, as evidenced by ongoing Gaza operations and West Bank expansions. However, this risks straining U.S. ties; Trump has explicitly opposed annexation, stating, “I am against annexation… We have enough things to think about now,” signaling limits to unconditional support amid international condemnation of Israel’s policies.
Weakened by proxy losses (Hezbollah in Lebanon, Assad in Syria) and domestic unrest, Iran may see limited diplomacy as a lifeline to ease sanctions without full capitulation. Yet, retaliation vows against U.S. threats underscore the risk of miscalculation, potentially spiralling into regional conflict.
Regional positions, particularly Saudi Arabia’s, reveal a complex web of interests. Riyadh, a Sunni powerhouse, shares Israel’s antipathy toward Shi’ite Iran, viewing it as a destabilizing force through proxies in Yemen and Iraq. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman (MBS) has signalled openness to normalizing ties with Israel, building on the Abraham Accords that integrated UAE and Bahrain in 2020.
However, progress hinges on Palestinian concessions, which Netanyahu resists. Analytically, Saudi Arabia hesitates on full alignment without U.S. guarantees against Iran, especially after Houthi attacks on shipping. MBS’s economic motivations – diversifying via Vision 2030 – favour stability, making him amenable to U.S.-led deals that curb Iranian missiles, potentially unlocking U.S. arms sales and investments. Yet, Riyadh’s neutral stance in U.S.-Iran talks reflects caution: avoiding escalation that could spike oil prices or invite Iranian reprisals, while leveraging its OPEC clout for influence.
The UAE and Bahrain, already normalized with Israel, echo Saudi concerns but prioritize economic ties. Broader implications loom: a narrow U.S.-Iran accord might embolden Tehran, eroding deterrence and straining NATO allies reliant on Middle East stability. Conversely, a comprehensive pact could reshape alliances, integrating Sunni states against Iran and advancing Trump’s “deal of the century” vision.
Ultimately, Netanyahu’s pressure tests Trump’s resolve. Failure to broaden talks could fracture U.S.-Israel unity, while success might avert war but demand concessions Trump hesitates to extract. As Secretary of State Marco Rubio advocates including missiles and proxies, the meeting’s outcome will signal whether diplomacy prevails or military shadows lengthen over the region.
Met with U.S. Secretary of State @marcorubio at Blair House in Washington.
Ahead of my meeting at the White House with President Trump, I signed Israel’s accession as a member of the “Board of Peace.”
We will continue strengthening the unbreakable alliance between Israel and… pic.twitter.com/CJ4Lw92WdX
— Benjamin Netanyahu – בנימין נתניהו (@netanyahu) February 11, 2026
With Reuters.
Caption: The only photo that was made available to the press after the meeting of U.S. President Donald Trump with Israeli PM Benjamin Netanyahu in the White House on 11 February 2026.
Updated: February 12, 2026 - 07:17
