US President Donald Trump announced that no “definitive” agreement was reached with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu regarding Iran, following a lengthy meeting in Washington. Despite the lack of a conclusive deal, Trump emphasized that negotiations with Tehran would persist, aiming to secure a comprehensive agreement.
The closed-door discussions, which extended over two and a half hours on Wednesday, marked the seventh meeting between the two leaders since Trump resumed office last year. Anticipation for significant announcements was high, yet Trump stated that no final decisions were made.
“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 stated in a social media post after the meeting. “If it can, that will be a preference. If it cannot, we will just have to see what the outcome will be,” he added, without specifying Netanyahu’s stance.
No Breakthrough on Iran
Netanyahu was expected to urge Trump to broaden the scope of discussions with Iran to include its ballistic missile program and regional activities, beyond just the nuclear issue. However, there was no indication that Trump acquiesced to these demands during the meeting. Israeli officials have expressed concerns that a narrow nuclear agreement would inadequately address Iran’s broader military influence.
Trump has consistently warned that military action remains a possibility if diplomatic efforts fail. Tehran, on the other hand, has vowed to retaliate against any attack, escalating fears of a broader regional conflict as the US amplifies its military presence in the Middle East.
In an interview with Fox Business, Trump outlined that a satisfactory agreement would entail “no nuclear weapons, no missiles,” though he did not elaborate further. Additionally, he mentioned to Axios the potential deployment of a second aircraft carrier strike group to the region as part of a military buildup. Iran has rejected any attempts to link nuclear negotiations to its missile program or regional alliances.
Israeli officials remain concerned that Washington may settle for a limited deal that does not address Iran’s support for groups like Hamas and Hezbollah.
According to a statement from Netanyahu’s office, “The Prime Minister emphasized the security needs of the State of Israel in the context of the negotiations, and the two agreed to continue their close coordination and tight contact.”
Israel Joins Trump’s Board of Peace
Gaza was also a topic of discussion, with Trump seeking to revive momentum for a ceasefire and reconstruction plan. Progress on this proposal has been stalled due to disagreements over Hamas disarmament and Israeli troop withdrawals.
“We discussed the tremendous progress being made in Gaza, and the Region in general,” Trump noted.
Netanyahu’s visit was notably subdued, with no media access to the Oval Office. Only a brief photo release showed the leaders shaking hands, and officials did not provide explanations for the muted format.
In a separate development, Netanyahu announced that Israel would join Trump’s “Board of Peace” initiative after meeting with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio. In a post on X, Netanyahu stated he had “signed Israel’s accession as a member of the ‘Board of Peace.'”
This initiative is rooted in a United Nations Security Council resolution passed last November, which authorized an international stabilization force in Gaza. Under Trump’s plan, the board would oversee temporary governance in the territory before expanding its focus to address other global conflicts.
The announcement comes as the Middle East remains a focal point of international diplomacy, with numerous stakeholders watching closely to see how US-Israeli relations and the broader geopolitical landscape will evolve in the coming months.
