Netanyahu Accelerates Washington Visit to Address Renewed Diplomatic Push Regarding Iran

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived in Washington on Tuesday, February 10, 2026, for an urgent summit with United States President Donald Trump. The diplomatic mission was accelerated and moved forward by a full week, a move that underscores the pressing need to address the latest round of international negotiations with Iran. Netanyahu's primary objective during this high-stakes visit is to convince the Trump administration to broaden the scope of current discussions concerning Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.

Having served as Prime Minister since December 29, 2022, Netanyahu is advocating for any potential agreement to include strict limitations on Iran’s ballistic missile development and a cessation of support for its regional proxies, often referred to as the "Iranian axis." From the Israeli perspective, the threat posed by Iran’s missile arsenal is viewed as an existential danger on par with its nuclear program. Consequently, the Israeli government has signaled its readiness to take independent military action should its established "red lines" be breached.

This diplomatic activity follows the resumption of shuttle diplomacy on February 6, 2026, in Muscat, Oman, occurring simultaneously with an increased American military presence in the Middle East, notably the deployment of the aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln. While Omani Foreign Minister Badr al-Busaidi mediated the initial consultations, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi characterized the opening round as a "good start." Nevertheless, Araghchi maintained a firm stance, asserting that Tehran would not relinquish its right to enrich uranium, which remains a central point of contention.

The American delegation, spearheaded by Special Envoy Steven Witkoff, saw the unprecedented participation of Brad Cooper from the U.S. Central Command. However, there is significant ambiguity surrounding Washington's long-term strategy. President Trump, who inaugurated his second term in January 2025, is reportedly leaning toward a streamlined deal focused solely on nuclear concessions in exchange for the lifting of economic sanctions. Such a narrow framework would likely ignore the missile capabilities and the activities of proxy networks like Hamas and Hezbollah, which are critical security concerns for Israel.

Iran has remained steadfast, categorically refusing to enter negotiations regarding its "defense capabilities," specifically its missile range and technology. This renewed dialogue comes in the wake of direct military confrontations, including Israeli airstrikes against Iranian targets in June 2025. In preparation for this Washington visit, Israel presented the U.S. with specific operational concepts designed to degrade Iran’s missile potential, emphasizing the necessity of a multifaceted approach to regional security.

Political analyst Yuri Bocharov suggests that while the immediate nuclear threat may be managed, the missile program poses the most significant risk of damage in any future conflict. The results of Netanyahu’s discussions in Washington will be pivotal in determining whether the United States pursues a comprehensive regional agreement or settles for a limited nuclear pact. The latter possibility has sparked considerable anxiety among Gulf nations, who fear that a partial solution could trigger further regional escalation and leave them vulnerable to asymmetric threats.