Netanyahu ‘Skeptical’ of U.S. Talks with Iran Despite Warm Trump Meeting

As Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu departed Washington this week following a tightly focused diplomatic visit, he made one point unmistakably clear Israel remains highly skeptical of any deal between the United States and Iran.

Speaking before boarding his return flight, Netanyahu said his time in the American capital was “short but important,” with meetings largely devoted to the ongoing U.S.–Iran negotiations. At the heart of it all was a candid discussion with President Donald Trump.

“There is a very close, very genuine, and very open relationship between us,” Netanyahu said, praising the rapport he continues to enjoy with the American president.

While acknowledging that Trump believes the Iranians “have already learned who they are dealing with,” Netanyahu warned that any future agreement must be far more comprehensive than past attempts. “I will not hide from you that I expressed general skepticism about the nature of any agreement with Iran,” he said.

For Israel, the concerns are not limited to Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Netanyahu emphasized that ballistic missiles and Iranian proxy networks throughout the region must also be addressed directly in any final framework.

“It is not just the nuclear issue,” he stated. “It is also the ballistic missiles and the Iranian proxies.”

President Trump echoed the tentative nature of the talks in a post on Truth Social. “There was nothing definitive reached other than I insisted that negotiations with Iran continue to see whether or not a Deal can be consummated,” Trump wrote. “If it can, I let the Prime Minister know that will be a preference. If it cannot, we will just have to see what the outcome will be.”

Despite that uncertainty, Netanyahu expressed confidence in the strength of the U.S.–Israel relationship and the unique dynamic he shares with Trump. “Another conversation with a giant friend of the State of Israel the likes of whom we have not had,” he said.

The meeting also touched on the situation in Gaza and wider regional developments, though details on those discussions remain limited.

Separately, the Prime Minister’s Office confirmed that Netanyahu will not return to Washington next week for the AIPAC conference or the upcoming Peace Council gathering, opting instead to participate remotely.

While diplomacy continues, Israel’s position remains unchanged: any agreement with Iran must be judged not only by words, but by its ability to dismantle Tehran’s capacity to threaten the Jewish state and destabilize the region.

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