The “Midnight Hammer” Ultimatum: Details of the Trump-Netanyahu Summit

The three-hour meeting between President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House on Wednesday, February 11, 2026, has clarified the high-stakes sequencing of U.S. strategy toward Tehran. While Trump emphasized his desire for a “Great Deal,” the summit’s leaks and subsequent statements reveal a “Diplomacy First, Destruction Second” framework that leaves Iran with a rapidly closing window.
Intelligence on Ballistic Missiles
According to reporting from the Jerusalem Post, a central pillar of the meeting was a classified intelligence briefing presented by Netanyahu. The Prime Minister provided evidence of what he described as Iran’s accelerated ballistic missile program, conducted under the cover of the ongoing internal unrest and nuclear negotiations. Netanyahu argued that any future military action—if diplomacy fails—must be broader than the June 2025 strikes and must specifically include the “systemic obliteration” of Iran’s missile production and launch infrastructure.
The “Midnight Hammer” Warning
Following the Prime Minister’s departure, Trump took to Truth Social to frame the stakes of the current Oman negotiations in stark, historical terms. He officially confirmed that the June 2025 bombardment of Iran’s nuclear sites was titled Operation Midnight Hammer.
> “Last time Iran decided that they were better off not making a Deal, and they were hit with Midnight Hammer — That did not work well for them,” Trump wrote. “Hopefully this time they will be more reasonable and responsible.”
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The President’s message was clear: while his “favorite option” is a negotiated settlement, the military assets—including the USS Abraham Lincoln and potentially a second carrier strike group—are in place to deliver a “final blow” should Tehran prove “irrational.”
Iranian Response: “Science Cannot Be Obliterated”
Tehran’s reaction has been a mix of defiance and cautious engagement. Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi scathingly dismissed the threats, particularly the “Midnight Hammer” rhetoric. In a statement via X (formerly Twitter), Araghchi argued that the 2025 strikes, while destructive, failed their ultimate objective. “The technology and science behind enrichment cannot be obliterated,” Araghchi noted, adding that Iran is prepared to “rebuild with greater vigor” if attacked again.
Despite the rhetoric, Tehran appears to be taking the threat seriously. Reports indicate that Iran has begun moving its remaining nuclear and missile assets into deeper, reinforced bunkers in the Zagros Mountains, anticipating that any follow-up to “Midnight Hammer” would target a wider array of strategic sites.
“Peace in the Middle East”
Interestingly, Trump concluded his summary by claiming that “tremendous progress” has been made in Gaza and the wider region, declaring, “There is real peace in the Middle East.” This optimism contrasts with the “shock and awe” posture he maintains toward Iran, suggesting the administration views the neutralization of the “Iranian head of the snake” as the final hurdle to a total regional realignment.