President Trump has privately assured Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the United States will support military strikes on Iran’s ballistic missile facilities if nuclear negotiations collapse—marking a decisive shift from diplomatic posturing to concrete military backing that puts Tehran on notice.
Story Snapshot
- Trump gave Netanyahu a green light at the Mar-a-Lago meeting for strikes on Iran’s missile program if diplomacy fails
- Iran has rapidly rebuilt missile stockpiles to 1,800-2,000 units following last year’s “12-Day War” with Israel
- U.S. military now deliberating logistical support, including aerial refueling and overflight permission,s for Israeli operations
- Netanyahu demands that any nuclear deal include Iran’s missiles and terror proxies, but Tehran refuses to negotiate beyond uranium enrichment.
- Critical Geneva talks this week will determine whether the region faces a diplomatic breakthrough or a military escalation
Trump’s Strategic Backing Reshapes Middle East Calculus
President Trump told Prime Minister Netanyahu during a December meeting at Mar-a-Lago that America would support Israeli military action against Iran’s ballistic missile infrastructure if ongoing nuclear negotiations fail, according to two U.S. officials. This private assurance represents a fundamental departure from Biden-era constraints on Israeli military options.
The commitment came as Trump pursues a dual-track strategy—leveraging carrier deployments in the Gulf to pressure Tehran toward a deal while simultaneously preparing military options.
U.S. intelligence and defense officials have begun internal discussions about providing Israel with aerial refueling capabilities and overflight permissions for deep strikes into Iranian territory.
Trump told Netanyahu he would support Israeli strikes on Iran's ballistic missile program, sources say
https://t.co/NHB5PkaMAa— CBS News (@CBSNews) February 15, 2026
Iran’s Missile Rebuild Triggers Israeli Urgency
Intelligence assessments reveal Iran has aggressively reconstituted its ballistic missile arsenal following the 2025 “12-Day War,” when U.S. bombers joined Israeli forces in punishing strikes after Tehran’s non-compliance.
Israeli sources estimate Iran will soon possess 1,800 to 2,000 missiles—matching or exceeding pre-war levels—representing an existential threat that Netanyahu views as intolerable.
The Iranian regime has prioritized missile production over nuclear site reconstruction, calculating that its missile force provides immediate deterrence and offensive capability.
Netanyahu accelerated his Washington visit from February 18 to press Trump on military options, presenting detailed intelligence during a 2.5-hour meeting that underscored the urgency Israel feels as Iran’s arsenal grows.
Diplomatic Deadlock Over Scope of Negotiations
The fundamental obstacle blocking any agreement centers on what gets negotiated. Iran insists talks remain laser-focused on nuclear enrichment and sanctions relief, categorically rejecting discussions about its ballistic missile program or support for Hamas, Hezbollah, and Houthi proxies.
Netanyahu counters that any viable deal must address Iran’s entire “threat ecosystem”—nuclear weapons, delivery systems, and terrorist networks—or it merely enables Tehran to perfect one threat while constraining another.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio has expressed a preference for diplomacy, but administration officials acknowledge Iran’s refusal to broaden negotiations may render talks meaningless.
Trump referenced his June 2025 “Midnight Hammer” strikes on Iran’s Natanz and Fordow nuclear facilities as proof of resolve if diplomacy fails.
Regional Stakes and American Interests
This confrontation directly impacts American security and our regional allies who have suffered under Iranian aggression. Saudi Arabia and the UAE have faced repeated Houthi drone and missile attacks on critical infrastructure, including the 2019 Abqaiq oil facility strike that disrupted global energy markets.
Iran’s 180-missile barrage against Israel in 2024 demonstrated the regime’s willingness to wage open warfare against our democratic ally. The current standoff will determine whether Iran’s theocratic dictatorship faces meaningful constraints or continues expanding its capability to threaten American forces, disrupt global oil supplies, and target our allies.
Arab states have quietly aligned with Israel’s position that any deal excluding missiles is worthless, understanding their own vulnerability to Iranian proxies armed with Tehran’s ballistic technology.
The Geneva talks beginning this week represent a critical juncture. Trump’s approach combines the credible threat of overwhelming military force—demonstrated through carrier deployments and private assurances to Netanyahu—with a genuine willingness to negotiate if Iran agrees to comprehensive terms.
Unlike the Obama-Biden approach of appeasing Tehran with sanctions relief while ignoring missile and proxy threats, Trump demands Iran address the full range of destabilizing behavior.
If talks fail, Israel will have American support to eliminate a growing missile threat that could eventually carry nuclear warheads. The stakes could not be higher for regional stability and American interests in preventing a nuclear-armed Iran capable of striking allies and disrupting global commerce.
Sources:
Netanyahu Presented Iran Strike Plans To Trump Amid Missile Threat – Iran International
Trump says he insisted on further Iran talks during meeting with Netanyahu – Anadolu Agency
