Israel Expresses Deep Concern Over US-Iran Deal, Citing Nuclear and Regional Threats

Israeli military and political officials have expressed significant concern over an emerging US-Iran deal, despite Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's public praise aimed at appeasing U.S. President Donald Trump. The agreement, expected to be finalized soon, is feared to fall short of eliminating threats posed by Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programs and could impede Israel's ability to act against Hezbollah in Lebanon.

Officials stated that Israel cannot revert to the pre-October 7, 2023, security reality, when it felt its actions were constrained while threats along its borders escalated. The specifics of the deal remain unclear to Israeli leadership, who are particularly worried about the lack of explicit provisions addressing the dismantling of Iran's nuclear program, its ballistic missile arsenal, and its capacity for production. Israel's primary concerns, as outlined by officials, include inadequate curbs on Iran's nuclear activities, the absence of clear commitments to halt ballistic missile production, and unresolved questions about the funds Iran will receive.

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The agreement expected to be signed between the United States and Iran is 'not a good deal,'

A compromise reportedly allows Iran to purchase medicine and food using frozen funds, with the U.S. insisting these assets will not be released until uranium stockpiles are addressed. However, this issue is slated for later negotiation. Furthermore, Israel is concerned about the lack of a clear mechanism to compel Iran to cease its support for proxy forces such as Hezbollah, the Houthis, and Hamas. The fact that Israel was not a party to the negotiations and is being excluded from the potential peace process is a major point of contention.

A senior Israeli official quoted by Yedioth Ahronoth described the U.S.-Iran understanding as "not a good deal," warning of Israel's limited influence on a process that could significantly impact its security. The official noted that the resources Iran might gain during the subsequent 60-day negotiation period could theoretically enable the regime to advance its nuclear and ballistic missile projects. The newspaper suggested the American president's actions are driven by his own political and U.S. interests, with frequent calls between Netanyahu and Trump having only marginal influence.

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Israel is not only failing to shape the talks, it also...