Trump tells Netanyah that nuclear talks with Iran must continue

The leaders met at the White House, as tensions continue to rise throughout the Middle East, and negotiations intensify on curbing Iran's nuclear weapons programme.

Netanyahu was expected to pressure Trump to pursue an agreement that would not only stop enriching Iran's uranium, but cut its ballistic missile programme and support for intermediate groups like Hamas and Hezbollah.

Iran has suggested it is ready to limit its nuclear programme in exchange for easing sanctions, but has rejected further demands.

Ahead of the meeting at the White House, Iranian President Massoud Peschian warned that his country “would not submit to their excessive demands”.

Netanyah's visit marks his sixth trip to the US since Trump's return to duty more than any other world leader.

The leaders spoke for nearly three hours at an extremely low meeting at which Netanyah was taken from a side entrance away from the camera.

Trump did not hold a press conference with him afterwards. In a post in Social Truth, Trump said the meeting between leaders had been a very good “”, reports Telegraph, broadcast Periscope.

Nothing final was achieved except the insistence that negotiations with Iran continue to see whether or not a” can be reached, he said.

He added that an agreement was his “preference”, but if one could not be reached, “will have to see what the results will be”.

Netanyah's office said leaders had discussed Israel's state security needs in the context of negotiations” and agreed to continue “co-ordination and their close relationship”.

A close ally of Trump, Netanyah, has long argued that Iran represents an existential threat to security for Israel and has urged the US to curb Tehran's influence in the region.

The prime minister believes that any negotiations should include limiting ballistic missiles and cutting off support for the Iranian axis”, Netanyah's office said in a statement ahead of its trip. /Periscope/