US President Donald Trump said he insisted talks with Iran continue during a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, but warned he could take action against Tehran if a nuclear deal is not reached.
The leaders met at the White House as tensions continue to rise across the Middle East and negotiations intensify over curbing Iran's nuclear weapons program.
Netanyahu was expected to pressure Trump to pursue a deal that would not only halt Iran's uranium enrichment but also cut its ballistic missile program and support for proxy groups like Hamas and Hezbollah.
Iran has suggested it is ready to limit its nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief, but has rejected other demands.
Ahead of the White House meeting, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian warned that his country "would not submit to their excessive demands."
Netanyahu's visit marks his sixth trip to the US since Trump returned to office - more than any other world leader.
The leaders spoke for nearly three hours in an extremely low-key meeting in which Netanyahu was brought in through a side entrance, away from the view of the cameras.
Trump did not hold a press conference with him afterward. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the meeting between the leaders had been "very good."
"Nothing definitive was achieved except that I insisted that negotiations with Iran continue to see whether or not an agreement can be reached," he said.
He added that a deal was his "preference", but if one could not be reached, "we will have to see what the outcome will be".
Netanyahu's office said the leaders had discussed "the security needs of the state of Israel in the context of the negotiations" and agreed to continue their "close coordination and relationship."
A close ally of Trump, Netanyahu has long argued that Iran represents an existential security threat to Israel and has pushed the US to curb Tehran's influence in the region.
"The prime minister believes that any negotiations must include limiting ballistic missiles and ending support for the Iranian axis," Netanyahu's office said in a statement ahead of his trip. /Telegraph
