Israeli prime minister will press U.S. president to expand Iran talks to include ballistic missiles and support for regional proxy groups
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is due in Washington on Wednesday to meet with U.S. President
Donald Trump for high-stakes discussions over ongoing negotiations with Iran, with a particular focus on Tehran’s ballistic missile arsenal and its support for militant proxies across the Middle East.
Netanyahu’s office said the Israeli leader believes any diplomatic framework with Iran must address not only its nuclear activities but also the country’s missile capabilities and backing for groups such as Hezbollah and Hamas, which Israel views as core security threats.
The visit comes amid indirect U.S.–Iran talks held in Oman that marked the first formal engagement between Washington and Tehran since major hostilities last year.
While both sides described the initial round as productive and signalled plans for further diplomacy, Iran has refused to discuss limits on its missile programme or proxy networks, insisting that negotiations focus strictly on its civilian nuclear ambitions.
U.S. officials have said they seek a broader deal encompassing security concerns beyond nuclear enrichment.
Netanyahu’s summit with Trump follows a period of heightened tensions in the region, including recent U.S. military deployments and the interception of Iranian drones near a U.S. carrier strike group, underscoring the fragility of the security environment.
Iran’s foreign minister has warned of potential retaliatory action against U.S. bases if Washington orders military strikes, reflecting rising rhetoric that policymakers in both capitals will need to navigate.
In advance of the Washington meeting, Netanyahu’s office emphasised Israel’s insistence that any future U.S.–Iran arrangement include meaningful restrictions on ballistic missiles and an end to Tehran’s support for its network of allied armed groups.
Trump and Israeli leaders have maintained close coordination during successive rounds of negotiations, even as Washington pushes to maintain pressure on Tehran through diplomacy, economic measures and strategic military positioning.
The outcome of their talks is likely to shape the next phase of international engagement with Iran and influence regional security strategies in the months ahead.