US President Donald Trump (L) and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a meeting at the White House in Washington, US, 4 February 2025.
Photo by Elizabeth Franz/Reuters
Donald Trump unexpectedly declared his readiness to start direct talks with Tehran, right during his meeting with Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House. This was a cold shower for the Israeli prime minister, who had been building his political career on confronting Iran for years. This was reported by The Jerusalem Post.
“America is ready to open a direct dialogue with the ayatollahs,” Trump said, sitting next to a stunned Netanyahu.
This effectively destroys one of the main foreign policy narratives of Israel and Bibi himself. After all, back in 2015, he warned in the US Congress about “jihad” as the essence of Iranian policy. And in 2020, he supported the assassination of General Soleimani.
Trump seems to be turning into a “Republican Obama”, and this poses new challenges for both Tel Aviv and global security.
What to expect from the US-Iran talks?
Analysts believe that Iranian negotiators will try to stall for time, achieve sanctions relief, and retain their nuclear weapons. At the same time, the Iranian regime is already losing influence in the Middle East – Syria, Lebanon and even its own population are increasingly disillusioned with the government.
Experts urge the US not to negotiate but to issue an ultimatum:
- Release political prisoners
- Hold democratic elections
- Recognise Israel
Otherwise, it is “either surrender or destruction”.
