US negotiations with Iran must include not only the matter of nuclear weapons but also ballistic missiles and the country’s Middle Eastern proxies, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told reporters on Thursday, ahead of take-off from the United States after his meeting with US President Donald Trump.
“I have just completed a brief but important visit to Washington, during which I spoke with our great friend, President Trump,” he said. “We share a close, genuine, and open relationship.”
The meeting, the seventh between the two since Trump returned to office last year, lasted three hours, two more than the scheduled time. It was more muted than on past visits, with Netanyahu using the White House’s back entrance, which was closed to the press.
The prime minister said that he affirmed to Trump that the negotiations must include “elements that are important to us, to the State of Israel, and, in my view, to the international community as a whole: not only the issue of nuclear weapons but also ballistic missiles and Iranian proxies in the region.”
Netanyahu said that although he remains skeptical of any deal with Iran, Trump believes that the conditions for Tehran “may lead them to accept terms that would allow for a good deal.”
“The president believes that the Iranians already understand who they are dealing with,” he added.
In addition, the two also discussed Gaza, “the broader region, and other general issues.”
“In any case, it was yet another conversation with a great friend of the State of Israel – a president like no other,” Netanyahu concluded.
Trump claims 'peace in the Middle East' after Netanyahu meeting
Following the Wednesday meeting, Trump posted on Truth Social, noting that “nothing definitive” had been reached regarding the upcoming US-Iran negotiations except that discussions will continue to see whether a deal can be reached.
“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,” he wrote. “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.”
“Additionally, we discussed the tremendous progress being made in Gaza and the Region in general. There is truly PEACE in the Middle East,” the post concluded.
Netanyahu and his delegation landed back in Israel early on Friday morning.
Amichai Stein and Jerusalem Post Staff contributed to this report.