Donald Trump – Benjamin Netanyahu Meeting (February 2026)

Trump–Netanyahu Meeting was a diplomatic contact held on 11 February 2026 at the White House behind closed doors between United States President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. The meeting addressed issues related to nuclear negotiations with Iran, developments in Gaza, and regional security. The discussion lasted approximately two and a half to three hours, during which both sides made statements regarding the continuation of talks with Iran, but it was reported that “no definitive outcome” was reached.

Historical Context, Location, and Nature of the Meeting

The meeting took place on 11 February 2026 at the White House in Washington, D.C., behind closed doors. President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu held a meeting lasting more than two and a half hours.

This was the seventh meeting between the two leaders since the beginning of Trump’s second term. Five of these meetings occurred in the United States and one in Israel.

No joint press conference was held after the meeting; Trump shared his assessment via the Truth Social platform.

Nuclear Negotiations with Iran

At the White House meeting on 11 February 2026, Iran’s nuclear program and US-Iran negotiations were central agenda items. In his remarks following the meeting, US President Donald Trump stated: “No definitive outcome was reached, other than my insistence that negotiations continue to see whether an agreement can be secured.”

Trump also indicated his preference for an agreement, saying, “I told the Prime Minister that if possible, this would be the preferred outcome.” Regarding the possibility of no agreement, he added, “If it cannot be achieved, we will have to see what the consequences will be.”

Reference to the “Midnight Hammer” Operation

Trump referenced Iran’s previous negotiation process by recalling the June attack on Iranian nuclear facilities, stating, “Last time Iran thought it was better not to reach an agreement and was struck by ‘Midnight Hammer’ — that did not end well for them.” In the same statement, he added, “I hope this time they behave more reasonably and responsibly.”

Trump did not rule out the possibility of military action against Iran if no agreement is reached. It was noted that the United States has increased its military presence in the Middle East, with the USS Abraham Lincoln carrier strike group being deployed to the region and a second group under consideration for deployment.

Background of US-Iran Negotiations

Indirect talks between the United States and Iran were held on 6 February 2026 in Muscat, the capital of Oman. These talks followed an eight-month hiatus after the June attacks.

Trump described the first round of talks in Muscat as “very good” and stated that both sides planned to meet again.

The United States demands that Iran halt its uranium enrichment activities and remove highly enriched uranium from its territory. Washington also insists that Iran’s missile program and its support for armed groups in the region be included in the negotiations.

Iran, in return for lifting sanctions, has demanded the cessation of uranium enrichment and has declared that its ballistic missile capabilities are non-negotiable. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian stated that his country “will not bow to excessive demands.”

Netanyahu’s Position

The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office stated that during the meeting, “negotiations with Iran, Gaza, and regional developments” were discussed. It was reported that Netanyahu emphasized Israel’s “security needs” in the context of negotiations with Iran and that the two leaders agreed to maintain close coordination.

Netanyahu expressed the view that any potential agreement with Iran must cover not only its nuclear program but also its ballistic missile program and its support for proxy groups in the region.

According to a report citing Israel’s state television KAN, the Tel Aviv administration does not believe an agreement will be reached between the United States and Iran and assesses that Iran is merely seeking to buy time.

Protest Demonstrations in Washington

During Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s visit to the United States capital, protests were held outside the White House by Palestinian supporters. Protesters carried Palestinian flags and banners, chanting slogans condemning Israel’s military operations in Gaza and calling for an end to US support for Israel. The signs and banners carried by demonstrators contained messages opposing Israel’s military actions in Gaza.

Gaza and Regional Developments

Trump stated that developments in Gaza and the broader region were also discussed during the meeting. In his Truth Social post, he used the phrase “tremendous progress” recorded in Gaza and across the region. The Israeli Prime Minister’s Office confirmed that “negotiations with Iran, Gaza, and regional developments” were addressed during the meeting.

Since the ceasefire in Gaza came into effect in October 2025 until the date of the meeting, Israeli attacks have resulted in the deaths of 591 Palestinians and injuries to 1,578 others. According to Gaza’s Ministry of Health, over 72,000 people have lost their lives in Israeli attacks on Gaza since 7 October 2023.

On the day of the meeting, Israeli airstrikes and artillery shelling continued in the eastern area of Khan Younis in southern Gaza. According to the Wafa news agency, a Palestinian child was injured by Israeli fire in the Batn al-Samin region.

“Gaza Peace Council” and Israel’s Membership

During his visit to Washington, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu signed the document formalizing Israel’s membership in the council.

Netanyahu met with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio at Blair House, adjacent to the White House, and following the meeting, Israel formally signed its membership in the “Gaza Peace Council.” The council’s inaugural meeting is scheduled for 19 February in Washington. Initially, the council will oversee the temporary administration of Gaza and will later be expanded to address global conflicts.

Netanyahu faces an arrest warrant issued by the International Criminal Court (ICC) over alleged war crimes committed on Palestinian territories.