Trump Insists on Iran Talks, Delaying Immediate Military Action

U.S. President Donald Trump said Wednesday afternoon that his nearly three-hour meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu ended without any final decisions beyond his insistence that American negotiations with Iran move forward.

“It was a very good meeting, the tremendous relationship between our two Countries continues. 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 on Truth Social after the meeting at the White House. “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.”

The meeting, held in the White House Cabinet Room and lasting nearly three hours, concluded without a joint press conference or public remarks. Despite expectations of possible announcements, both leaders issued brief written statements instead.

Referring to previous U.S. military action, Trump added: “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. Hopefully this time they will be more reasonable and responsible.”

According to a statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, “The Prime Minister emphasized the security needs of the State of Israel in the context of the negotiations, and the two leaders agreed on continued coordination and the close contact between them.”

Israeli media reported that Netanyahu presented American officials with what was described as an “evidence file,” alleging that the Iranian regime continued executing civilians despite earlier commitments to Washington regarding detained protesters. Reports also said Netanyahu pressed for any potential agreement to address Iran’s ballistic missile program and regional proxy activity, not only its nuclear file.

A Channel 12 report, citing U.S. and Israeli officials, said the meeting included discussion of possible joint military action should negotiations fail. A senior American official quoted in the report said a coordinated strike would be more effective than separate operations. The report added that both Israeli political and security officials are skeptical that current talks will produce an agreement.

Trump, in a separate interview with Fox Business, said any deal must ensure “no nuclear weapons, no missiles, no this, no that, all the different things that you want.”

U.S. Vice President JD Vance clarified that Washington’s focus is preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons rather than pursuing regime change. “If the Iranian people want to overthrow the regime, that’s up to the Iranian people. What we’re focused on right now is the fact that Iran can’t have a nuclear weapon,” Vance said.

Iran has stated it is prepared to negotiate limits on its nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief but has rejected linking missile capabilities to the talks. “The Islamic Republic’s missile capabilities are non-negotiable,” said Ali Shamkhani, an adviser to Iran’s supreme leader.

Senator Lindsey Graham publicly praised the meeting, writing on X that he was “very pleased” Trump and Netanyahu had a productive discussion about “the Iranian threat.” He added, “Rest assured, these two men are strong leaders who seek peace and stability, but in a real way not a fake way,” and concluded, “May God grant them both the wisdom and determination to pursue the light and stand firm against the forces of darkness.”

Trump also noted that the leaders discussed “the tremendous progress being made in Gaza, and the Region in general,” though Iran dominated the agenda.