US Official Says Iran Negotiations Enter Serious Stage Ahead of Trump-Netanyahu Meeting

A US administration official stated on Monday that negotiations with Iran have reached a "serious stage," with proposals exchanged through intermediaries but no agreements yet. This development was reported during the evening news broadcast by Kan News. The White House is maintaining a low media profile ahead of President Donald Trump's meeting with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, with no joint press conference planned and limited press access for Netanyahu's entourage.

Earlier, Trump told reporters that he and Netanyahu have "some differences" regarding Iran but are "pretty close." He noted that Iran sought to return to talks after suffering setbacks, saying, "The only reason the Iranians want to talk is because they are not in a good position. There is a chance something will happen in the talks, and if not, we will go back to what we were doing before."

Additionally, the New York Times reported that Trump has temporarily abandoned plans for a large-scale strike against Iran following reservations from senior advisors. General Dan Coats, the Director of National Intelligence, warned that a broad attack could dangerously deplete the US stockpile of Patriot missile interceptors, which were heavily used in previous conflicts. There was also widespread opposition within Trump's inner circle to escalating military action, with some officials doubting that intensified strikes would bring Iran back to negotiations, suggesting instead that such attacks harden Iran's stance.