Israel fears that US might pursue narrow nuclear deal that does not include restrictions on Iran’s missile program
US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Photo: Reuters
President Donald Trump hosted Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Wednesday, with the Israeli prime minister expected to press him to widen US talks with Iran to include limits on Tehran’s missile arsenal and other security threats beyond its nuclear program.
In his seventh meeting with Trump since the president returned to office nearly 13 months ago, Netanyahu was looking to influence the next round of US discussions with Iran following
nuclear negotiations held in Oman last Friday.
Trump has threatened strikes on Iran if no agreement is reached, while Tehran has vowed to retaliate, stoking fears of a wider war. He has repeatedly voiced support for a secure Israel, a longstanding US ally and arch-foe of Iran.
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In media interviews on Tuesday, Trump reiterated his warning, saying that while he believes Iran wants a deal, he would do “something very tough” if it refused.
Trump says no to Iranian nuclear weapons, missiles
Trump told Fox Business that a good deal with Iran would mean “no nuclear weapons, no missiles,” without elaborating. He also told Axios he was considering sending a second aircraft carrier strike group as part of a major US buildup near Iran.
Israel fears that the US might pursue a narrow nuclear deal that does not include restrictions on Iran’s ballistic missile program or an end to Iranian support for armed proxies such as Hamas and Hezbollah, according to people familiar with the matter.
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Israeli officials have urged the US not to trust Iran’s promises. “I will present to the president our perceptions of the principles in the negotiations,” Netanyahu told reporters before departing for the US.
The two leaders could also discuss potential military action if diplomacy with Iran fails, one source said. Iran has said it is prepared to discuss curbs on its nuclear program in exchange for lifting sanctions but has ruled out linking the issue to missiles.
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“The Islamic Republic’s missile capabilities are non-negotiable,” Ali Shamkhani, an adviser to Iran’s supreme leader, said on Wednesday. Netanyahu’s arrival at the White House was lower-key than
usual.
He entered the building away from the view of reporters and cameras, and a White House official then confirmed he was inside meeting with Trump. Also on the agenda will be Gaza, with Trump looking to push ahead with a ceasefire agreement he helped to broker.
Progress on his 20-point plan to end the war and rebuild the shattered Palestinian enclave has stalled, with major gaps over steps such as Hamas disarming as Israeli troops withdraw in phases.
