Israeli leader says any deal must curb missiles and end Tehran’s support for militant groups
By yourNEWS Media Newsroom
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to meet with Donald Trump in Washington on Wednesday, Feb. 11, to discuss renewed U.S. negotiations with Iran, according to Netanyahu’s office.
The meeting follows indirect nuclear talks between Iranian and U.S. officials held Friday in Oman, which both sides described as a step toward further discussions. Netanyahu’s office said the prime minister intends to press for broader constraints on Tehran, including limits on ballistic missiles and an end to Iranian support for militant groups across the region.
“The prime minister believes that all negotiations must include limiting the ballistic missiles, and ending support for the Iranian axis,” his office said, referring to Tehran’s backing of groups such as Hezbollah in Lebanon and Hamas in the Palestinian territories. Trump and Netanyahu last met in December.
U.S. officials have indicated the talks should extend beyond Iran’s nuclear program. Secretary of State Marco Rubio said this week that missile development and regional activities must be addressed alongside nuclear issues.
President Trump said the Muscat discussions were “very good,” adding that additional sessions are planned early next week. The U.S. delegation included Middle East special envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner.
A regional diplomat briefed by Tehran told Reuters that Iran insisted on its “right to enrich uranium” during the talks and that its missile capabilities were not discussed. Iranian officials have repeatedly ruled out negotiating limits on their missile program, while insisting their nuclear activities are for peaceful purposes.
For the first time in these negotiations, the United States also brought its top military commander in the Middle East to the table. U.S. Navy Adm. Brad Cooper, head of U.S. Central Command, later visited the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln with Witkoff and Kushner, the command said.
Gulf Arab states have voiced concern that any escalation could ignite a wider regional conflict, with memories still fresh of the 12-day Israel-Iran war last June. Israel, a close U.S. ally, believes Iran is pursuing a nuclear weapon and has called for the complete dismantling of Tehran’s nuclear program, as well as a halt to missile development and support for militant groups.
The talks come as the U.S. government continues to warn Americans against travel to Iran and urges U.S. citizens there to leave immediately, while significant American military assets remain deployed in the region.
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