• Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu stated during a February 11, 2026, White House meeting that U.S. President Donald Trump may reach a good deal with Iran, but emphasized Israel's security requirements.
  • Trump insisted on continuing negotiations, preferring a deal over military action "for now," while referencing Iran's poor outcome in the prior "12-Day War" and "Midnight Hammer" operation.
  • The leaders agreed to close coordination, with Netanyahu's office highlighting Israel's demands amid resumed U.S.-Iran talks in Oman last Friday, a second round expected next week, and potential U.S. military buildup in the Gulf.

Efforts to restructure diplomatic engagements with Iran have hit a snag, as Netanyahu's skepticism casts a shadow over renewed negotiations. During the high-stakes meeting, Netanyahu stressed Israel's maximalist demands on Iran's nuclear capabilities, viewing them as an existential threat, according to people familiar with the matter. This comes as U.S.-Iran talks resumed in Oman last Friday for the first time since the June 2025 "12-Day War," where Iran rejected a prior U.S. deal, leading to strikes.

Trump, balancing diplomacy with pressure, vetoed threats of immediate military action post-meeting but has built up forces in the region. "What we're focused on is ensuring any agreement meets our security benchmarks," a senior Israeli official said, paraphrasing Netanyahu's stance. The White House did not immediately respond to requests for comment on the specifics of the coordination agreement.

Without a deal, the situation could escalate, impacting global oil markets amid Trump's broader tariff agenda and Iran's economic instability from recent protests. The second round of talks in Oman next week is seen as critical, with experts noting that Netanyahu's hasty Washington trip serves as a warning against narrow agreements. If stalled, additional U.S. carrier deployments in the Gulf are likely, sources indicate.

In the short term, these developments keep attacks at bay temporarily, but long-term risks loom if negotiations fail. The talks underscore tensions for Israeli stakeholders prioritizing security and U.S. audiences favoring deals to avoid war, while the Iranian public grapples with economic woes. Debates persist on whether the talks are genuine or merely time-buying measures to restrain Netanyahu, amid parallels to Gaza mitigation efforts shifting focus to Iran.

Correction: An earlier version misstated the timing of the Oman talks; they resumed last Friday, not this week.