NYT: US Excludes Israel from Iran Talks

The United States has reportedly sidelined Israel from negotiations regarding Iran, granting the Israeli government only limited access to information, according to The New York Times. The report, citing two unnamed Israeli officials, suggests this exclusion could have substantial repercussions for Israel and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who is currently engaged in a challenging re-election campaign.

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The expulsion from the cockpit to economy class potentially has significant consequences for Israel, and especially for the prime minister, who faces a tough election battle this year.

The Times highlighted the situation with its headline, "Former Pilot Partner of Trump Against Iran, Netanyahu Is Now Just a Passenger." The report points out that prior to the recent conflict with Iran, Netanyahu had closely coordinated with then-President Trump, leading discussions from Washington's Situation Room. Now, facing a lack of direct information from its key ally, Israel is compelled to gather intelligence on the U.S.-Iran talks through regional contacts and its own reconnaissance activities within Iran.

U.S. officials, privy to President Donald Trump's perspectives, indicated to the Times that while Trump viewed Netanyahu as a military ally, he did not consider him a close partner in negotiations. The report further notes that during the conflict, Trump reportedly blamed Israel for acting unilaterally in attacking Iranian energy targets, despite prior Washington approval.

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In fact, he considered Netanyahu someone who needed to be limited in terms of conflict resolution.

Israeli officials expressed that this exclusion is "very difficult to accept," especially considering Israel's willingness to undertake more controversial actions during the conflict, such as the potential assassination of Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The U.S. and Israel initiated strikes against targets in Iran in late February, leading to civilian casualties and damage. Iran retaliated by attacking Israeli territory and U.S. military facilities in the Middle East, also disrupting global energy trade by closing the Strait of Hormuz. A ceasefire was announced on April 7, followed by talks in Islamabad that concluded without a definitive outcome.

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The exclusion of Israel is 'very difficult to accept.'