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Source: https://www.axios.com/2026/02/14/trump-netanyahu-china-iran-oil
Trump and Netanyahu Agree to Increase Pressure on Iranian Oil
(Axios) Barak Ravid - President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu agreed during their meeting at the White House on Wednesday that the U.S. will increase the economic pressure on Iran, two U.S. officials briefed on the issue confirmed. More than 80% of Iranian oil exports go to China. If China reduces its purchases of oil from Iran, the economic pressure on Iran would increase significantly. "We agreed that we will go full force with maximum pressure against Iran," a senior U.S. official said. U.S. officials said Netanyahu and Trump agreed about the necessary end state - an Iran without the capability to obtain nuclear weapons. But they disagreed about the way to get there. Netanyahu told Trump it is impossible to make a good deal with Iran and claimed that even if a deal is signed, Iran will not abide by it, a U.S. official said. "We'll see if it's possible. Let's give it a shot," Trump told Netanyahu. "We are sober and realistic about the Iranians. The ball is in their court. If it is not a real deal, we will not take it," a U.S. official said. A second U.S. official said he thinks there is "zero chance" that Iran agrees to anything the U.S. proposes or vice versa.