"We're dealing with them directly, and maybe a deal's going to be made. That'd be great. It'll be really great for Iran, I can tell you that," Trump said while sitting next to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in the Oval Office after a meeting between the two world leaders.  

If the US and Iran can't come to an agreement on a nuclear deal, Trump said he thinks "Iran is going to be in great danger," but did not go as far to say that the US would take military action to destroy Iran's nuclear sites.  

"You know, it's not a complicated formula: Iran cannot have a nuclear weapon," the president said.

The news of the talks was a surprise announcement as Trump took questions alongside Netanyahu after the leaders met to discuss Trump's new tariffs and negotiations for a deal to release the remaining hostages still being held in Gaza by Hamas.

Israel will eliminate its trade deficit with the United States, Netanyahu pledged, adding that the Jewish state will eliminate "trade barriers that have been put up unnecessarily, and I think that this will serve as a model for many countries who ought to do the same."

Netanyahu's visit to Washington comes less than a week after what Trump called "Liberation Day," in which the president announced a minimum 10% tariffs on all nations across the globe. One day before Trump officially announced the new tariffs, Netanyahu said Israel had "canceled all of the customs duties levied on products from the US, Israel's largest trading partner." 

Israel has charged a 33% tariff on goods coming into its country from the US. In turn, the US announced a new 17% tariff on goods coming to the US from Israel. (Screengrab image: via Fox News)

Netanyahu called himself a "free-trade champion" and said he understands the position the US is in and why Trump has imposed the tariffs.  

"We have been ripped off and taken advantage of by many countries over the years and can't do it anymore," Trump said after thanking Netanyahu for his comments.

When a reporter asked whether Trump would consider pausing the new tariffs imposed on countries around the world, he said, "Well, we're not looking at that."

Click Here to view video clips of the Oval Office press conference

Trump has made clear he is using the tariffs to bring American manufacturing back to the US with the aim of revitalizing the US economy and putting an end to trade policies that "take advantage" of the US.

"No other president is going to do this," Trump said of the tariffs.

The Israeli prime minister is the first world leader to meet with Trump since the new tariffs went into effect.

The two leaders also told reporters they are working to secure the release of the hostages that remain in Gaza following Hamas' terrorist attack on Israel on Oct. 7, 2023.  

"The hostages are in agony, and we want to get them all out," Netanyahu said. There are 24 hostages still believed to be alive in Gaza. Hamas is also holding the bodies of an additional 35 hostages.

"We are trying very hard to get the hostages out," Trump told reporters. "We're looking at another ceasefire. We'll see what happens." Subscribe for free to Breaking Christian News here

Virginia Allen is a senior news producer for The Daily Signal and host of "The Daily Signal Podcast" and "Problematic Women."

To receive daily emails from Breaking Christian News to your inbox CLICK HERE

Trump Grants Federal Workers Two Additional Christmas Holidays

America Fest 2025: Erika Kirk Endorses 'My Husband's Friend' JD Vance for President

Brent Bozell Confirmed as US Ambassador to South Africa

Jury Quickly Convicts Judge Who Helped Illegal Migrant Escape ICE

Feds Estimate Somali-Linked Fraud in Walz's Minnesota Could Top $9 Billion

Trump SUSPENDS 'Green Card Lottery' after Program Let Brown University–MIT Shooting Suspect Enter the US

Brown, MIT Shooter Found Dead for Days in NH Storage Unit; Motive Still a Mystery

House Passes Bill to Criminalize Transgender Mutilation of Children

November Inflation Falls to 2.7%, Lower than Expected: 'This Is Good News for Wall Street; It’s Good News for Main Street'

MOVIEGUIDE's Review of the New Animated Film: DAVID

Massachusetts Drops Controversial Gender Ideology Mandate for Licensing Foster Care Parents

Nearly 40% of Women Suffer Severe Grief for Years after Abortion, Miscarriage: Study

Former Pfizer Vice President: COVID Shots Were 'Designed to Cause Injury,' Reduce Fertility

Dutch Sheets Shares a Warning from the US National Counterterrorism Center

Venezuela: Trump's Pressure Campaign and Maduro's Fury

President Trump Charts Accomplishments and Previews Future Policies during His Primetime Address

Secretary Hegseth and Franklin Graham Preach Gospel at Pentagon Christmas Service: 'Jesus Took Our Shame'

'Unsafe, Needless, Irreversible': HHS Sec. Kennedy Takes Sweeping Action to Reverse Biden-Era Policies on So-Called 'Gender Affirming Care'

Hobby Lobby Giving Away Half a Million Copies of Book Defending Biblical Christmas Story [Video]

Geothermal Blind Power Site Discovered in Nevada