“Netanyahu wants the Libya model: full dismantling of the Iranian nuclear program,” the official said. This comment refers to the 2003 agreement in which Libya relinquished its nuclear ambitions in exchange for sanctions relief and reintegration into the international community.

Netanyahu believes the chances of reaching a diplomatic agreement with Iran are slim and plans to present Trump with what he views as a framework for a “good deal.”

The Israeli leader is also seeking an understanding with the White House on launching strikes against Iran’s nuclear facilities if diplomacy fails. Iran denies it is pursuing nuclear weapons and has rejected calls to halt its nuclear program, asserting that it is for peaceful purposes only.

The talks come amid escalating tensions over Iran’s nuclear activities. Trump, who won the 2024 election and took office on 20 January, has publicly stated his preference for diplomacy but warned that “there will be bombing” if no agreement is reached.

US officials say the White House is considering an Iranian proposal for indirect nuclear talks mediated by Oman.

Trump recently received a formal response to a letter he sent to Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, in which he proposed direct negotiations. Iran rejected this format but expressed willingness to engage in indirect talks.

While some administration officials believe a deal is still possible, others are pushing for a more aggressive stance. Trump has reportedly given Iran two months to reach a deal, though it remains unclear when the countdown began.

Meanwhile, the Pentagon is preparing for potential escalation. Two aircraft carriers—USS Harry S. Truman and USS Carl Vinson—will remain in the region, and additional troops and air assets have been deployed. Last week, several B-2 stealth bombers were sent to Diego Garcia, a US military base in the Indian Ocean.

These bombers are capable of carrying “bunker-buster” munitions, which could target Iran’s fortified underground nuclear sites.

“If Iran or its proxies threaten American personnel and interests in the region, the US will take decisive action to defend our people,” Pentagon spokesperson Sean Parnell said.

In response to the rising tensions, Iran has issued stern warnings. Khamenei stated that the United States would receive a “heavy blow” if it launched an attack. Tehran also lodged a diplomatic protest via the Swiss embassy and vowed to retaliate to any military strike.

Ali Larijani, a senior adviser to Khamenei, warned that if Iran’s nuclear facilities are bombed, public pressure could force the government to pursue nuclear weapons.

In 2018, during his first term, Trump withdrew from the 2015 nuclear agreement, arguing that his “maximum pressure” campaign would lead to a more substantial deal.

That strategy failed to produce a new agreement, as did efforts under President Joe Biden. Since then, Iran has significantly increased its uranium enrichment and is regarded as a “nuclear threshold” state.

Tehran has refused to negotiate over its ballistic missile program or regional influence—conditions the Trump administration deems non-negotiable elements of any future deal.

As Netanyahu lobbies for military contingencies and the US accelerates its regional build-up, the window for diplomacy seems to be closing fast.

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