Trump to Host Netanyahu as Iran Nuclear Talks Intensify and Regional Tensions Rise

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President Donald Trump will host Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Wednesday, as tensions mount across the Middle East and negotiations accelerate over Iran's nuclear program. Netanyahu is expected to urge Trump to pursue a comprehensive agreement that halts Iran's uranium enrichment and limits its support for proxy groups like Hamas and Hezbollah. The visit comes as the U.S. boosts its military presence in the region, with Trump saying another aircraft carrier strike group may be deployed.

Why it matters

The high-level meeting between Trump and Netanyahu comes at a critical juncture, with the U.S. and Iran locked in tense negotiations over Tehran's nuclear ambitions and regional influence. The outcome could have significant implications for stability in the Middle East and the broader U.S.-Iran relationship.

The details

Netanyahu plans to present Trump with Israel's position on the principles of the ongoing nuclear negotiations with Iran. Israel is demanding that any deal must also address Iran's ballistic missile program and dismantle what it calls the 'Iranian axis' of regional militias. Tehran has insisted it will not scale back uranium enrichment unless Western sanctions are eased. The U.S. has bolstered its military presence in the region, with Trump saying a second aircraft carrier strike group may be deployed.

• President Trump will host Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Wednesday, February 12, 2026.
• Netanyahu is making his sixth trip to the U.S. since Trump returned to office, more than any other world leader.

What they’re saying

What’s next

The outcome of the meeting between Trump and Netanyahu could shape the direction of the ongoing nuclear negotiations with Iran and the broader tensions in the Middle East region.