U.S. President Donald Trump has sent a message to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, urging closer collaboration between the two nations on the Iranian nuclear issue, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem revealed.
After completing a visit to Israel on Monday, Noem told Fox News that she held “candid and direct” talks with Netanyahu, conveying President Trump’s wish for a unified approach as the U.S. continues nuclear negotiations with Iran.
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“President Trump specifically tasked me with discussing the progress of the talks with the prime minister and emphasizing the importance of staying united and allowing the process to unfold,” Noem said.
This update comes amid the recent conclusion of the fifth round of nuclear talks between U.S. and Iranian officials in Rome. While President Trump expressed optimism about the negotiations over the weekend, Israel has voiced serious concerns and is reportedly preparing for potential military strikes against Iranian nuclear sites.
“We’ve had very positive discussions with Iran,” Trump told reporters Sunday. “I don’t know if I’ll have good or bad news soon, but I have a feeling it might be something good.”
Last week, CNN reported that Israeli officials, worried about Iran’s uranium enrichment, are planning possible military action. Tehran, on its part, has vowed a strong response to any attack and accused Netanyahu of trying to undermine the U.S.-led diplomacy.
“Iran is not stalling with these talks,” Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baqaei stated Monday, insisting Tehran is engaged seriously and with purpose.
Baqaei’s remarks followed Iran’s refusal to temporarily halt uranium enrichment in exchange for an interim agreement.
A major issue remains Iran’s insistence on its right to enrich uranium—a process needed for nuclear fuel but potentially usable for weapons. The U.S. reportedly demands Tehran stop all enrichment, a demand Iran says conflicts with its rights under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty (NPT).
Though Iran denies seeking nuclear weapons, Israel—believed to possess an undeclared nuclear arsenal—remains skeptical. Netanyahu has warned that Iran is dangerously close to acquiring a bomb and has urged the U.S. to take a firmer stance.
Noem acknowledged Israel’s doubts, saying, “The message to Americans is clear: We have a president who wants peace but will not tolerate a nuclear-capable Iran. Iran will not be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon under this administration.”
She added, “President Trump wants Prime Minister Netanyahu to be fully aligned with him on this.”
Tensions over Iran’s nuclear ambitions have resurfaced as a major concern in U.S.-Israel relations, especially after Trump’s 2018 withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA)—the landmark deal that limited Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief.
Following this, the Trump administration reinstated stringent sanctions on Iran, prompting Tehran to increase nuclear activities beyond JCPOA limits.
