Netanyahu Skeptical as Trump Pushes for ‘Good Deal’ With Iran

by | Feb 13, 2026 | News

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said after meetings in Washington that President Donald Trump believes Iran can be pressured into accepting a “good deal” on its nuclear program — but Netanyahu himself remains doubtful.

Speaking before departing Joint Base Andrews, Netanyahu described his talks with Trump as “close, genuine, and open.” The meeting, their seventh since Trump returned to office, focused heavily on Iran amid rising tensions in the region.

The U.S. has increased its military presence in the Middle East while simultaneously engaging Tehran in renewed negotiations over its nuclear program. Trump warned that failure to reach an agreement would be “very traumatic for Iran.”

Netanyahu said any deal must go beyond nuclear restrictions. “It must include ballistic missiles and Iran’s regional proxies,” he stressed, arguing that these issues are critical for Israel and the broader international community.

Trump indicated a timeline of about a month for progress and warned Iran to move quickly. He referenced previous U.S. strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, saying Tehran should have agreed to a deal earlier.

Meanwhile, Netanyahu announced he will not return to Washington next week as originally planned. He will skip the inaugural Board of Peace meeting and instead address the AIPAC conference virtually.

The decision may disappoint U.S. officials seeking strong international participation in the Board of Peace initiative, which aims to address broader regional issues.

Netanyahu has officially joined the Board of Peace but will not attend its first fundraising session in person.

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