Three-Hour Trump–Netanyahu Meeting Focuses on Iran as Gaza Talks Continue

In a high-stakes, closed-door meeting lasting over three hours, U.S. President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reaffirmed their strategic alliance and established clear redlines concerning Iran’s nuclear program and regional ambitions.

Held at the White House on Wednesday, the session their seventh since Trump’s return to office far exceeded its original one-hour slot. Though the meeting remained closed to press, both leaders emerged aligned on critical regional issues, particularly Iran and Gaza.

“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 posted on Truth Social. “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.”

Trump added a thinly veiled warning to Iran: “Last time Iran decided that they were better off not making a Deal, and they were hit with Midnight Hammer. That did not work well for them.”

Netanyahu, meanwhile, presented updated intelligence on Iran’s military buildup, with a specific focus on its advancing ballistic missile program. According to Israeli sources, Netanyahu emphasized that any future U.S. military operation against Iran must include strategic strikes against that program.

The White House meeting also addressed the ongoing situation in Gaza, where both sides acknowledged “tremendous progress” and discussed the importance of maintaining regional momentum.

“The Prime Minister emphasized the security needs of the State of Israel in the context of the negotiations, and the two agreed to continue close coordination and maintain direct communication,” Netanyahu’s office said in a post-meeting statement.

The gathering featured a robust team of top U.S. and Israeli officials, including U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, Jared Kushner, and Ambassadors Mike Huckabee and Yechiel Leiter. Israel’s Military Secretary Maj.-Gen. Roman Gofman and National Security Council acting director Gil Reich also participated, alongside senior advisors Michael Eisenberg, Ziv Agmon, and Ofir Falk.

In a parallel diplomatic step, Netanyahu officially joined Trump’s “Gaza Board of Peace” earlier that day, signing a letter of agreement to align Israel with the charter of the board. The move signals a new level of formal cooperation between Jerusalem and Washington in post-war Gaza stabilization efforts.

“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,” Netanyahu had declared before departing for Washington, making clear his intent to influence the direction of U.S. diplomatic outreach.

Meanwhile, military readiness is also being prioritized. The Pentagon ordered the USS Bush aircraft carrier to prepare for deployment to the Middle East. Once operational, the carrier is expected to reach the region within two weeks, signaling a tightening of deterrence posture as U.S.-Iran talks continue.

As negotiations with Iran remain unresolved, Trump and Netanyahu appear united in strategy: pursue diplomacy, but prepare for action. The coordination between Washington and Jerusalem is once again firm and visible with both leaders reinforcing a shared vision for confronting common threats and securing a more stable Middle East.

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