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Israeli defense researcher Beni Sabti said Saturday that the United States might need to suffer another major attack to renew support for Israel.
Sabti, an Iran expert at the Israel-based Institute for National Security Studies, wrote in a post on X that was later edited: "Maybe USA needs another Pearl Harbor or 9/11 to remember who is the enemy and who is the friend."
The post came as criticism of U.S. President Donald Trump continued in Israel over a memorandum of understanding reached with Iran and ongoing meetings between U.S. and Iranian delegations.
Sabti later replaced the post with an updated statement.
"Good luck for USA to handle Iran regime terrorists. I hope for USA administration to remember who is the enemy and who is the friend," the updated post read.
As the U.S. works to negotiate with Iran toward peace in the Middle East, Trump and Vice President JD Vance have criticized Israel's recent actions in Lebanon.
Trump was asked Monday about Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's statement that Israeli forces would not withdraw from Lebanon.
"I'm a problem solver, I get problems solved real fast, including with Bibi (Netanyahu)," Trump told reporters in the Oval Office.
The U.S. and Iran remotely signed a memorandum of understanding last week, launching a 60-day negotiating window to resolve disputes including the fate of Iran's enriched uranium stockpile, its nuclear program and other unresolved issues.
Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian electronically signed the memorandum June 18, followed by direct talks Sunday aimed at reaching a final agreement to end the war.
The 14-point document calls for an immediate and permanent end to military operations on all fronts, including Lebanon, the removal of the U.S. naval blockade on Iran and safe passage for commercial vessels through the Strait of Hormuz.
The memorandum also includes a cessation of hostilities across all fronts, the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz for global energy supplies and the lifting of the U.S. naval blockade on Iran.
Despite the agreement, several Israeli officials, including Netanyahu, Defense Minister Israel Katz and military chief Eyal Zamir, have insisted Israel will not withdraw from territory occupied in southern Lebanon.
On Sunday, Hezbollah chief Naim Qassem rejected any cease-fire granting Israel "freedom of action" in Lebanon.
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