Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu outlined conditions for his country’s support of a potential nuclear agreement between the United States and Iran on Sunday, focusing on Tehran’s ballistic missile program.
Netanyahu Lays Out Demands
Speaking at an event in Jerusalem, Netanyahu stated that Israel will only back a deal if Iran limits the range of its ballistic missiles to 300 kilometers. This restriction, he argued, would place Tel Aviv outside of their range and represent an 85% reduction in Iran’s current capabilities.
Netanyahu’s demands extend beyond missile range, encompassing four core points: the complete removal of enriched uranium from Iranian territory, the complete dismantling of enrichment infrastructure – including centrifuges and processing plants, the 300-kilometer limit on ballistic missiles, and the cessation of Iranian funding for what he termed the “axis of terror,” referencing groups like Hezbollah, the Houthis, and Shia militias in Iraq.
“These are the elements we consider important to reaching an agreement,” Netanyahu stated, referencing his February 11th meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump in Washington.
Rising Tensions and Upcoming Talks
This exchange occurs amid heightened diplomatic tension, just days before Iran and the United States are scheduled to hold a second round of nuclear negotiations on Monday, February 17th, in Geneva, Switzerland, with Oman mediating.
The demand to limit missile range marks a significant change in Israeli discourse. While Iran’s nuclear program has always been defined as an existential threat, the 12-day war between the two countries in June 2025 demonstrated that Iran’s conventional missiles can cause destruction within Israel. During that conflict, approximately 370 Iranian ballistic projectiles were launched against Israel, with Israeli defense systems intercepting 86% of them. Those that penetrated defenses caused 29 deaths and extensive damage to civilian and military infrastructure.
Iran currently possesses one of the largest ballistic missile arsenals in the Middle East, with missiles of short, medium, and long range. Prior to the June war, intelligence estimates indicated Iran had more than 3,000 ballistic missiles.
Israeli attacks reportedly destroyed approximately one-third of Iranian launchers, but production capacity is being rebuilt with assistance from China and Russia, according to intelligence reports presented to Trump.
Iran previously limited the range of its missiles to 2,000 kilometers, sufficient to reach Israel from Iranian territory. Netanyahu’s demand to reduce that range to 300 kilometers would render most of the arsenal useless, given the average distance between Iran and Israel exceeds 1,500 kilometers. Tehran has publicly rejected any negotiation regarding its missile program, considering it a non-negotiable defensive pillar.
U.S. Position and Potential Outcomes
The context for these Israeli demands is set against renewed nuclear talks that began February 6th in Muscat, Oman, between Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi and U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff. The Trump administration maintains that any agreement must completely prohibit uranium enrichment on Iranian soil, a position Tehran rejects as a violation of its rights under the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty.
Iran had accumulated more than 400 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60% before the June war, according to reports from the International Atomic Energy Agency. This level of purity is only a technical step away from weapons-grade uranium, which requires 90% enrichment.
Coordinated attacks by Israel and the United States against Iranian nuclear facilities in June caused severe damage to plants in Natanz, Fordow, and Isfahan, but the IAEA lost track of the exact location of that enriched material following the attacks.
The U.S. Proposal, according to leaks, would require Iran to transfer its 400 kilograms of 60% enriched uranium outside the country and suspend all enrichment for three to five years. In return, Washington would offer guarantees not to attack Iran militarily, but would not include the lifting of economic sanctions. Tehran has formally rejected this offer, deeming it imbalanced.
Netanyahu insists the timing is opportune to demand maximum concessions, arguing that Iran is weakened following the June war and the internal repression of anti-government protests that reportedly resulted in over 7,000 deaths, according to human rights organizations.
The Israeli Prime Minister reportedly presented Trump with military options ranging from a solely Israeli strike to an operation led by the United States.
Trump warned on Friday that failure to reach an agreement would be “extremely traumatic” for Iran, while deploying a second aircraft carrier to the Persian Gulf as a display of force. However, the U.S. President also expressed a preference for a diplomatic solution, noting that talks had been “very good” and that Iran “desperately wants a deal.”
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Israel’s primary concern regarding a potential deal with Iran?
Israel’s primary concern is that any agreement with Iran will not sufficiently address Iran’s ballistic missile program, and specifically, the range of those missiles.
What is the current status of talks between the U.S. And Iran?
The U.S. And Iran are scheduled to hold a second round of negotiations on February 17th in Geneva, Switzerland, mediated by Oman.
How much enriched uranium does Iran currently possess?
Prior to the June 2025 conflict, Iran had accumulated more than 400 kilograms of uranium enriched to 60%, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Given the complex and evolving nature of these negotiations, what role do you believe international cooperation will play in achieving a lasting resolution?
