Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has insisted that any renewed agreement between the United States and Iran must include the complete removal of Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile, as indirect negotiations between the two countries resumed in Switzerland. The demand, delivered to US President Donald Trump last week, underscores Israel’s deep skepticism about the prospects for a lasting resolution to concerns over Iran’s nuclear program.
Netanyahu’s firm stance comes as Iran’s Foreign Minister traveled to Geneva for the latest round of talks, mediated by European powers, aimed at reviving the 2015 nuclear deal. The original agreement, which limited Iran’s enrichment of uranium in exchange for sanctions relief, was abandoned by the Trump administration in 2018. The Biden administration has sought to re-enter the agreement, but negotiations have stalled amid disagreements over the scope of sanctions relief and guarantees regarding Iran’s long-term commitments.
According to two Israeli sources cited in reports last week, Netanyahu presented Trump with updated intelligence regarding Iran’s ballistic missile capabilities during his visit to Washington. Israel is concerned about Iran’s ability to quickly rebuild its nuclear capacity, estimating that without intervention, Iran could possess 1,800-2,000 ballistic missiles within weeks or months. CNN reported that Israel is preparing military contingencies should the US-Iran talks collapse.
Following his meeting with Trump on February 12th, Netanyahu publicly stated that the US conditions for any deal with Iran must include provisions addressing both its nuclear weapons program and its support for proxy groups throughout the Middle East. Trump, while remaining skeptical of any agreement with Iran, reportedly indicated he believes the conditions being discussed “may lead them to accept terms that would allow for a good deal.”
The demand for the removal of enriched uranium represents a significant hardening of Israel’s position. Previously, Israel had focused on preventing Iran from reaching a “breakout” capability – the point at which it could quickly produce enough fissile material for a nuclear weapon. Now, Israel is seeking a complete dismantling of Iran’s existing nuclear infrastructure.
The US has reportedly begun internal discussions about potentially supporting a fresh round of Israeli strikes on Iran’s ballistic missile program if negotiations fail. CBS News reported that these discussions include considering the provision of aerial refueling for Israeli aircraft and securing overflight permissions from regional countries. However, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates have publicly stated they would not allow their airspace to be used for such operations.
The alignment between Trump and Netanyahu on applying “maximum pressure” to Iran is not without its complexities. Al Jazeera reported that the two leaders differ on the ultimate endgame, with Netanyahu advocating for a more comprehensive dismantling of Iran’s nuclear program than Trump appears willing to pursue. The US has too redeployed a second aircraft carrier strike group, the USS Gerald R. Ford, to the Middle East, signaling a visible show of force amid heightened tensions.
As of today, the outcome of the negotiations remains uncertain. No further meetings between US and Iranian officials have been publicly scheduled, and both sides have maintained publicly skeptical positions. The Israeli government has not commented on any specific plans for military action, but continues to assert its right to defend itself against what it perceives as an existential threat from Iran.
