US President Donald Trump said he insisted talks with Iran continue during a meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, but warned he may take action against Tehran if a nuclear deal is not reached.
The leaders met at the White House as tensions continue to rise across the Middle East and negotiations intensify over curbing Iran's nuclear weapons programme.
Netanyahu was expected to press Trump to pursue a deal that would not only halt Iran's uranium enrichment, but cut its ballistic missile programme and support for proxy groups like Hamas and Hezbollah.
Iran has suggested it is ready to limit its nuclear programme in return for sanctions relief, but has rejected other demands.
Ahead of the White House meeting, Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian warned his country would not yield to their excessive demands.
Netanyahu's visit marks his sixth trip to the US since Trump's return to office - more than any other world leader.
The leaders spoke for nearly three hours in an unusually low-key meeting in which Netanyahu was brought in through a side entrance, out of view of the cameras.
Trump did not hold a press conference with him afterwards. In a post on Truth Social, Trump said the meeting between the leaders had been very good. There was nothing definitive reached other than I insisted that negotiations with Iran continue to see whether or not a deal can be consummated, he said.
He added a deal was his preference but if one could not be reached we will just have to see what the outcome will be.
Netanyahu's office said the leaders had discussed the security needs of the State of Israel in the context of the negotiations and agreed to continue their close coordination and relationship.
A close Trump ally, Netanyahu has long argued that Iran represents an existential security threat to Israel and has pushed the US to curb Tehran's influence in the region.
After arriving in Washington on Tuesday, Netanyahu met Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff and son-in-law Jared Kushner, who provided an update on the first round of negotiations they held with Iran last Friday.
Netanyahu's visit comes as the US increases its military presence in the Middle East, with Trump warning Tehran of strikes if it fails to reach a deal on its nuclear programme and to stop killing protesters.
Despite this heightened rhetoric, Trump might still wish to avoid a direct military conflict with Iran, especially entering an election year, according to former US officials.
The Iranian president reaffirmed that Iran is not seeking to acquire nuclear weapons and that the country is ready for any verification.
