“We had a very good meeting yesterday with ‘Bibi’ Netanyahu, and he understands. But at the end of the day, it’s my decision”, said the President of the United States, Donald Trump, when asked about the impacts of Wednesday’s (11) meeting with the Prime Minister of Israel on American negotiations with Iran.
Both were meeting in Washington. Upon leaving the US, this Thursday (12), Netanyahu said he expressed skepticism about any American deal with Iran — but considered that, If there is to be a deal, it needs to go beyond Iran’s nuclear program.
“It’s not just the nuclear issue, but also the ballistic missiles and the armed groups supported by Iran. That, I would say, was the essence of the conversation,” said Netanyahu, after telling Trump about the negotiations.
On Wednesday, shortly after the meeting with Netanyahu, Trump took to social media to say that the meeting did not result in anything definitive other than the insistence on her part – Trump – that negotiations with Iran continue until they are exhausted.
“The last time Iran decided it was better not to make a deal, it was hit by the Midnight Hammer,” wrote Trump, referring to the United States military strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities in June 2025, in conjunction with Israel.
Iran has signaled that current talks with the United States should remain focused on the country’s nuclear program, with the regime seeking recognition that it can enrich uranium — although not to the level of transforming the ore into fuel for nuclear bombs.
In an interview with the Financial Times published this Thursday, Hakan Fidan, Foreign Minister of Turkey — a country that has acted as one — said that any attempt to expand negotiations .
According to Fidan, the US has signaled its willingness to allow Iran to enrich uranium to levels suitable for peaceful purposes — for power generation, above all — and the Iranian regime “really wants to reach a concrete agreement”, accepting restrictions and inspections on its nuclear program.
“The other issues (Iranian missiles and support for armed groups) are closely linked to countries in the region,” Fidan told the British newspaper, stressing that regional actors themselves must reach an understanding on these issues.
“For Israel, maintaining a position of military superiority in the region is a fundamental priority,” Fidan added. “The presence of Iranian missiles complicates this objective.”
* With information from Reuters
