Trump and Netanyahu united on Iran and trade issues

Trump says U.S. and Israel aligned as nuclear talks with Iran resume in Europe.

President Donald J. Trump walks Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to his car following a day of bilateral meetings on April 7, 2025, in Washington, D.C., U.S. Photo by Andrew Thomas/Middle East Images

By Anna Fadiah and Hayu Andini

U.S. President Donald Trump stated on Tuesday that he and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu are fully aligned on key global issues, particularly Iran and trade, as diplomatic discussions between Washington and Tehran resume in Europe. The announcement underscores the ongoing coordination between the two longtime allies as concerns grow over Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

In a post shared on his social media platform, Trump said, “The call went very well — we are on the same side of every issue,” referring to his latest conversation with Netanyahu. The remarks come as U.S. officials continue delicate nuclear negotiations with Iran, which restarted this month in Oman and then continued in Rome. These talks are expected to pick up again later this week, according to officials familiar with the matter.

Trump and Netanyahu united on Iran reflects the core message of the announcement, spotlighting a shared stance between Washington and Tel Aviv at a time of renewed regional and international tension.

Washington’s nuclear diplomacy amid regional skepticism

On Monday, Trump told reporters that the meetings between his administration and Iranian officials had been productive, describing them as “good meetings” that showed potential for progress. However, that optimism has been met with skepticism in Israel, where officials have warned against trusting Iran’s intentions and have accused the regime of using diplomacy as a cover for advancing its nuclear program.

Tehran responded on Monday with a public accusation, alleging that Israel is trying to “undermine” the ongoing diplomatic efforts. This latest exchange reflects the deep mistrust that continues to shape the dynamics of Middle Eastern geopolitics, even as new diplomatic channels are explored.

According to a report by The New York Times last week, Trump personally urged Israel to refrain from launching any military strikes against Iran’s nuclear facilities in the near term. He reportedly emphasized the need to give diplomacy a real chance before escalating toward confrontation.

Netanyahu’s warning: Israel will act unilaterally if needed

Despite the resumption of talks, Netanyahu issued a stern warning, reiterating Israel’s longstanding position that it will never allow Iran to develop nuclear weapons — regardless of U.S. engagement with Tehran. “Even if Washington continues to negotiate, we will defend our national security at all costs,” Netanyahu reportedly told his cabinet.

The Israeli prime minister has consistently voiced strong opposition to any form of Iranian nuclear development, calling it an existential threat. Israel’s position remains rooted in the belief that Iran cannot be trusted to abide by any long-term agreements, especially given its past behavior and alleged violations of nuclear protocols.

Israel is widely believed to be the only nuclear-armed country in the Middle East, although it has never officially confirmed or denied its nuclear capabilities. Analysts say this strategic ambiguity offers Israel a powerful deterrent while keeping its adversaries guessing.

Background of the Iran nuclear deal and U.S. withdrawal

Tensions surrounding Iran’s nuclear program have persisted for years. In 2015, Tehran signed a landmark deal with the United States, the European Union, and several other world powers. Known formally as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), the agreement provided Iran with significant sanctions relief in exchange for strict limits on its nuclear enrichment activities.

However, in 2018, Donald Trump withdrew the U.S. from the deal, calling it “fatally flawed” and arguing that it gave Iran too much room to eventually build a nuclear weapon. That decision triggered a sharp escalation in hostilities and led Iran to gradually breach the deal’s terms.

By 2019, Iran began enriching uranium beyond the deal’s permitted levels. According to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), Iran has since enriched uranium to a purity of 60 percent — alarmingly close to the 90 percent threshold required to build nuclear weapons. Tehran continues to stockpile significant quantities of enriched uranium, drawing widespread international concern.

Under the JCPOA, Iran was restricted to enriching uranium at a maximum level of 3.67 percent — far below weapons-grade levels and sufficient only for civilian nuclear power production.

Iran’s response and diplomatic overtures

Tehran has consistently denied that it is seeking nuclear weapons, maintaining that its program is purely for civilian purposes such as energy production and medical research. Iranian officials claim that enrichment beyond the JCPOA limits is a response to Washington’s unilateral withdrawal and the failure of other signatories to uphold their commitments.

Despite this position, Western powers remain unconvinced, pointing to Iran’s increasingly advanced centrifuge technology and the lack of transparency in its nuclear facilities. The IAEA has repeatedly called for greater access to Iran’s nuclear sites and more comprehensive cooperation from Tehran.

This week’s resumption of talks offers a potential pathway to de-escalation, though few expect a breakthrough in the near term. For the United States, reengaging Iran diplomatically may signal a shift toward restoring the principles of the JCPOA — or negotiating a new, more stringent deal. For Israel, however, the threat remains existential, and its leadership has made clear it is prepared to act unilaterally if necessary.

Trump’s strategy: pressure balanced with diplomacy

While Trump has historically favored a maximum-pressure approach toward Iran — including economic sanctions and military deterrence — his administration’s willingness to engage in diplomacy signals a more nuanced strategy. Balancing threats with talks may allow Trump to maintain leverage while avoiding a direct military conflict, especially in an election year when foreign policy could play a decisive role.

His outreach to Netanyahu, meanwhile, reaffirms the U.S.-Israel strategic partnership, particularly on the issue of Iran. By showing that Trump and Netanyahu are united on Iran, the president seeks to assure Israel and its supporters that Washington will not compromise its security interests during negotiations.

A delicate balancing act in the Middle East

The situation remains fluid. While the renewed nuclear talks could eventually reduce tensions, they could also collapse under mutual suspicion and political pressure. For now, the narrative is one of cautious optimism, tempered by historical grievances and ongoing threats.

As the talks resume in Europe, the spotlight remains on whether diplomacy can succeed where past efforts have failed. And as Trump and Netanyahu present a united front, Tehran may be forced to weigh the benefits of engagement against the risks of provocation.

The coming weeks will likely reveal whether this latest diplomatic push will lead to real progress — or further entrenchment in one of the world’s most volatile conflicts.