Thursday, February 12, 2026-In a high-stakes meeting at the White House this week, President Donald Trump made it clear to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Washington’s priority remains pushing for a diplomatic agreement with Iran rather than immediately resorting to war.
After nearly three hours of closed-door talks, Trump said he has insisted that negotiations with Tehran continue to see if a deal can be reached on contentious nuclear and security issues — and that striking an agreement “will be a preference” if possible.
While Trump emphasized the pursuit of diplomacy, the meeting exposed deep differences with Netanyahu, who has consistently urged a tougher stance against Iran’s ballistic missile program and its support for militant groups. Although no definitive strategy was agreed, both leaders agreed to maintain close coordination. Trump’s stance reflects a calculated effort to avoid broader conflict even as military pressure remains on the table.
The urgency of the moment is palpable: negotiations between U.S. and Iranian officials recently resumed in Oman, but Tehran has so far resisted expanding talks beyond nuclear constraints. Trump’s insistence on continued dialogue underscores a strategic push to prevent further escalation in a region already strained by security risks, economic disruptions, and volatile geopolitical alignments.
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