Bibi Not Happy Camper, as Trump Sticks to Iran Nuclear Deal

Feb. 12—The Butcher of Gaza, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin “Bibi” Netanyahu, met with President Donald Trump for several hours yesterday at the White House, and he left without changing the President’s plan to get a nuclear deal signed.

The United States will enter another round of talks centered on ending for all time Iran’s nuclear weapons program, while allowing for its peaceful use of nuclear technology, without trying to expand the agenda to deal with Iran’s ballistic missile program and its support for paramilitary groups such as Hamas and Hezbollah. Iran has repeatedly said they will not negotiate with the U.S. on those matters.

Sources close to the White House say that Bibi argued any deal was meaningless unless Iran gave up its strategic missile program and continued support for terrorist forces against Israel. Trump reportedly countered his argument by saying that a nuclear deal was his first priority, that he thought a deal was close, and that he did not want Bibi to screw things up.

Bibi was supported in his arguments by Secretary of State Marco Rubio, but Trump and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff, who heads the U.S. negotiating team, said that these matters would be dealt with after trust was built through the nuclear deal, which Trump reported would include sanctions relief if the deal is carried out in good faith and compliance by Iran. “I think they want to make a deal,” Trump is reported to have said. “If they don’t, then we have other options,” referring to the massing of U.S. military might in the region, which he told Bibi could include a second carrier group. “I don’t think they want to fight us,” he said.

Trump Rebukes Netanyahu Over West Bank Annexation Plans

Meanwhile, Trump also read Bibi the riot act on proposed West Bank annexation. “Stop this foolishness,” he said. “I do not want that to happen. Restrain your people. This violence against innocent unarmed people by your settlers has to stop.”

Trump further demanded Israel’s full commitment and cooperation in implementing the next phase of the Trump Peace Plan for Gaza. “The world wants this,” he said of the plan, “and Israel has no right to stop it. It is to your benefit that we do this, make peace where there was endless war.” 

Trump reported that the Board of Peace, which Netanyahu formally joined yesterday, will meet next week to hear progress on these matters. No details were given.

Netanyahu raised the question of Iran’s support for Hezbollah and was told, “We will deal with that. Right now, they are not supporting or arming Hamas. They have been helpful in our securing the peace deal.” The issue of disarming Hamas was raised, and Trump said he was committed to making this happen, but that the structures to do it had to be put in place. He urged that Israel show restraint in Gaza, noting that still too many innocent civilians are being killed.

Meeting Described as Frank; Trump Reasserts Control of Policy

Another source characterized the discussion as “frank. Both sides know what they want. But Trump, not Bibi, is running this.” Since disagreement was expected, the meeting was much lower‑profile than others. Netanyahu arrived at a back entrance to the White House, where there was no press. And there was no joint press conference after the meeting.

“It was a very good meeting, the tremendous relationship between our two Countries continues,” Trump wrote on Truth Social. “There was nothing definitive reached other than I insisted that negotiations with Iran continue to see whether or not a Deal can be consummated. If it can, I let the Prime Minister know that will be a preference. If it cannot be, we will just have to see what the outcome will be. Last time Iran decided that they were better off not making a Deal, and they were hit with Midnight Hammer—That did not work well for them. Hopefully this time they will be more reasonable and responsible. Additionally, we discussed the tremendous progress being made in Gaza, and the Region in general.”

Terse Statement from Netanyahu's Office

Netanyahu’s office put out a statement that The Times of Israel described as “relatively terse,” saying that the two sides “addressed negotiations with Iran, Gaza, and regional developments.”

“The prime minister emphasized Israel’s security needs in the context of the negotiations, and the two agreed to maintain close coordination and ongoing communication,” the statement said.

Besides Trump, Rubio, and Witkoff, presidential son‑in‑law Jared Kushner and Secretary of War Pete Hegseth were present.

The next talks in Muscat, Oman, will take place this coming week, sources report.