Trump and Netanyahu meet at White House as US president brushes off pressure to escalate Iran war

• Netanyahu at White House: US President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu held a “positive” meeting at the White House today. An Israeli official told CNN the leaders reiterated that Iran should not be allowed to have nuclear weapons.

• Status of talks in dispute: Trump said negotiations with Iran were continuing, but Iran’s Foreign Ministry said no discussions are underway. Trump again threatened to destroy Iranian bridges and power plants if no deal is made.

• Warning in strait: Iran’s military said any ships belonging to a country or company using frozen Iranian assets will be blocked from transiting the Strait of Hormuz, according to Iranian state media.

• Zelensky meeting: Trump also met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky, who said they spoke about air defenses and diplomacy. Iranian officials have ramped up threats against Kyiv after last weekend’s attack by Ukraine on what Tehran said was an Iranian vessel in the Caspian Sea.