Donald Trump hosts Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Feb 11. The meeting comes days after indirect U.S.\u2013Iran nuclear contacts in Oman on Feb 6. Washington is weighing next steps, including tighter terms on missiles and proxies. Mr Trump has warned he will act \u201cvery tough\u201d if talks fail and said he may send a second U.S. carrier strike group to the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Mr Netanyahu plans to urge the U.S. to widen any deal. He seeks limits on Iran\u2019s ballistic missiles and curbs on support for groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah. He also aims to shape the sequencing of sanctions relief. Israeli officials fear a narrow nuclear-only pact could leave other threats intact.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In interviews on Feb 10, Mr Trump said Iran \u201cwants to make a deal,\u201d yet he is \u201cthinking\u201d about deploying a second carrier to raise pressure. A \u201ccarrier strike group\u201d is a naval formation centered on an aircraft carrier with escort ships and aircraft. The message is clear: diplomacy continues, but the military option remains on the table.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Indirect U.S.\u2013Iran discussions resumed in Oman on Feb 6. No breakthrough was announced, and the next round has not been set. Oman continues to mediate, with senior Iranian official Ali Larijani meeting Sultan Haitham on Feb 10 to review options.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A \u201cballistic missile\u201d is a rocket-powered weapon that follows a high-arcing trajectory and can carry conventional or nuclear payloads over long ranges. Israel argues that missile caps and constraints on proxy forces must accompany any nuclear limits to reduce regional risk. Tehran says negotiations should stay focused on the nuclear file and has vowed to retaliate if attacked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Signals to track include: whether the leaders reference missile language, how they frame sanctions relief, and any U.S. move to surge forces. Also watch for timelines on follow-up talks after Oman and whether Israel hints at unilateral options if diplomacy narrows. The meeting is the pair\u2019s seventh since Mr Trump returned to office, underscoring the urgency\u2014and the stakes\u2014around the Iran track.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In short, Mr Netanyahu will push for a broader bargain while Mr Trump balances negotiations with overt pressure. The outcome will shape the next phase of U.S.\u2013Iran diplomacy and the risk of escalation across the Middle East.<\/p>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
Donald Trump hosts Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Feb 11. The meeting comes days after indirect U.S.\u2013Iran nuclear contacts in Oman on Feb 6. Washington is weighing next steps, including tighter terms on missiles and proxies. Mr Trump has warned he will act \u201cvery tough\u201d if talks fail and said he may send […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":3490,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[16],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-3489","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-world"],"blocksy_meta":[],"yoast_head":"\n