Netanyahu in Washington as talks with Trump expected to focus on Iran missile file

• Netanyahu arrived in Washington on Wednesday and met U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio ahead of talks with President Donald Trump.
• The meeting with Trump will be their sixth since his return to the White House last year.
• Discussions are expected to focus on Iran’s ballistic missile program and ongoing U.S.-Iran nuclear negotiations.

'Israeli' Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived in Washington on Wednesday, opening his visit with talks with U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio and the signing of what was described as a “Peace Council Agreement,” ahead of a scheduled meeting with President Donald Trump at the White House.

Photos and a short video released by Netanyahu’s office showed him in discussions with Rubio in Washington, with U.S. Ambassador to 'Israel' Mike Huckabee also present.

The meeting with Trump will mark the sixth between the two leaders since the U.S. president returned to office early last year.

Missile program expected to top agenda

According to 'Israeli' officials, Netanyahu is expected to press Trump to harden the international stance toward Iran’s ballistic missile program and to broaden ongoing U.S.-Iran talks to include Tehran’s missile capabilities and regional policies.

The visit comes just days after indirect nuclear negotiations between Washington and Tehran were held in Oman, with U.S. officials preparing for another round focused on Iran’s nuclear program.

Netanyahu is reportedly seeking strict limits on Iran’s missile arsenal and a halt to its support for what 'Israel' describes as the “Iran axis,” particularly following last June’s conflict, which 'Israeli' leaders say exposed the strain Iranian missile fire can place on air defense systems.

Tehran, however, has repeatedly rejected expanding negotiations beyond the nuclear file, maintaining that its missile program is part of its sovereign defense capabilities and not subject to bargaining.

Iranian warnings over diplomatic pressure

Iranian officials have warned that 'Israeli' pressure could undermine ongoing diplomacy. Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmail Baghaei cautioned that such moves risk exerting “destructive” pressure on diplomatic efforts.

Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, in remarks to Russia Today, accused Netanyahu of seeking to derail negotiations and draw Washington into confrontation. He described the June conflict as a “disaster” and said repeating that experience would not change the outcome, stressing that Iran’s missile program remains non-negotiable.

Iran’s top security official, Ali Larijani, echoed those concerns during a visit to Oman, urging U.S. officials not to allow 'Israel' to shape the framework of talks at what he called a sensitive diplomatic moment.

West Bank issue and regional tensions

Netanyahu’s visit also coincides with mounting international criticism of 'Israeli' measures in the occupied West Bank, including steps allowing settlers to purchase land. It remains unclear whether the issue will be raised in discussions with Trump, who has previously voiced opposition to annexation.

Analysts say Netanyahu’s early arrival and diplomatic push reflect concern in Tel Aviv that Washington and Tehran could reach an agreement that reduces tensions without addressing 'Israel’s' broader demands regarding missiles and regional influence.

For his part, Trump has paired calls for a deal with warnings of possible military action and a visible buildup of U.S. assets in the region. Tehran has said it remains open to a nuclear agreement that guarantees the peaceful nature of its program, while warning that any new attack would prompt a swift response.