What Happened
- Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited Washington on February 11, 2026 to discuss the scope of US-Iran nuclear diplomacy with President Donald Trump.
- The hastily arranged meeting followed a first round of US-Iran talks held in Oman the previous week, which alarmed Israel.
- Netanyahu pushed for broader measures beyond just the nuclear programme, including Iran's ballistic missile arsenal and its funding of regional militant groups.
- Trump insisted that negotiations with Iran would continue, stating his preference was to reach a deal, despite Netanyahu's reservations.
- The two leaders met for approximately two-and-a-half hours; Trump later said "nothing definitive" was reached beyond his insistence on continued talks.
Static Topic Bridges
Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) — 2015 Iran Nuclear Deal
The JCPOA was finalized in Vienna on July 14, 2015, between Iran and the P5+1 (US, UK, France, Russia, China, and Germany) along with the European Union. Under the deal, Iran agreed to reduce its low-enriched uranium stockpile by 97% (from 10,000 kg to 300 kg), limit enrichment to 3.67%, restrict centrifuge operations, and accept enhanced IAEA monitoring. In return, Iran received relief from nuclear-related sanctions imposed by the UN, EU, and the US.
- Signed: July 14, 2015 in Vienna; parties: Iran + P5+1 (US, UK, France, Russia, China, Germany) + EU
- US withdrew unilaterally in May 2018 under the first Trump presidency and reimposed sanctions
- Iran subsequently breached multiple JCPOA limits beginning July 2019, enriching uranium to 60% purity
- E3 (France, Germany, UK) invoked the "snapback" mechanism in August 2025, reimposing UN sanctions from September 27, 2025
- By 2023, Iran had stockpiled enough enriched material to potentially achieve nuclear breakout in approximately 12 days
Connection to this news: The current US-Iran talks represent a new attempt to negotiate nuclear limits outside the collapsed JCPOA framework. Netanyahu's visit reflects Israel's concern that a narrow deal focused only on the nuclear programme would leave Iran's missile capabilities and regional proxy networks unchecked.
Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT) and Iran's Obligations
The NPT, opened for signature in 1968 and entering into force in 1970, is the cornerstone of the global nuclear non-proliferation regime. It has 191 state parties, making it the most widely adhered-to arms control treaty. Iran is a signatory and ratified the NPT in 1970. Under Article II, non-nuclear weapon states like Iran commit not to acquire nuclear weapons. Article III requires non-nuclear states to accept IAEA safeguards on all nuclear material.
- NPT entered into force: March 5, 1970; 191 state parties
- Three pillars: non-proliferation (Articles I-III), disarmament (Article VI), peaceful use of nuclear energy (Article IV)
- Four UN member states have never signed: India, Israel, Pakistan, and South Sudan
- India's position: considers the NPT discriminatory as it creates a two-tier system of "nuclear haves" and "have-nots"
- IAEA safeguards system under NPT verifies compliance through inspections
- Iran remains an NPT signatory but has been found in non-compliance with safeguards obligations
Connection to this news: Iran's obligations under the NPT provide the legal framework for international concern over its nuclear activities. Both the US and Israel invoke Iran's NPT non-compliance as justification for demanding an end to its enrichment programme, while Iran asserts its Article IV right to peaceful nuclear energy.
Israel's Strategic Doctrine on Iran
Israel views Iran's nuclear programme as an existential threat and has maintained a policy of preventing any regional state from acquiring nuclear weapons. Israel itself maintains a policy of nuclear ambiguity (neither confirming nor denying possession of nuclear weapons) and has not signed the NPT. Israel has historically taken pre-emptive military action against perceived nuclear threats, including strikes on Iraq's Osirak reactor (1981) and Syria's Al-Kibar facility (2007).
- Israel follows a policy of nuclear ambiguity (also called "nuclear opacity"), associated with the "Samson Option" doctrine
- Operation Opera (1981): Israeli strike on Iraq's Osirak reactor near Baghdad
- Operation Outside the Box (2007): Israeli strike on Syria's Al-Kibar reactor
- Iran's ballistic missile arsenal includes the Shahab-3 (range ~2,000 km) and Khorramshahr (range ~2,000 km), both capable of reaching Israel
- Israel and Iran have no formal diplomatic relations; Israel considers Iran the primary regional threat
Connection to this news: Netanyahu's insistence on including Iran's ballistic missiles and regional proxy funding in any deal reflects Israel's comprehensive threat perception. While Trump's approach focuses on the nuclear programme through diplomacy, Israel's strategic doctrine has historically favoured more sweeping measures to neutralise perceived threats.
Key Facts & Data
- JCPOA signed: July 14, 2015 in Vienna; US withdrew May 2018
- P5+1 members: US, UK, France, Russia, China, Germany
- Iran's uranium enrichment level under JCPOA: capped at 3.67%; current level: up to 60%
- NPT state parties: 191; non-signatories include India, Israel, Pakistan, South Sudan
- E3 snapback of UN sanctions on Iran: triggered August 2025, effective September 27, 2025
- US-Iran talks venue: Oman (first round, early February 2026)
- Netanyahu-Trump meeting: February 11, 2026, approximately 2.5 hours at the White House
- Iran's ballistic missile range: Shahab-3 and Khorramshahr with range of approximately 2,000 km