Newsletters
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has privately acknowledged difficulties in influencing U.S. President Donald Trump’s position on Iran as Washington and Tehran move closer to a possible agreement aimed at ending the conflict, Israeli media reported Sunday.
Israel’s Channel 13, citing unnamed political sources familiar with the discussions, said Netanyahu raised concerns during closed-door government meetings over the emerging U.S.-Iran negotiations.
According to the report, Netanyahu admitted that Israel currently has “no room for maneuver” to influence Trump’s decisions.
The report said Israel’s Security Cabinet continued meeting Sunday evening as speculation intensified that an agreement could be approaching.
Israeli security institutions reportedly remained on heightened alert amid concerns that a deal could provide Iran with political protection, reduce economic pressure and leave parts of its nuclear and proxy infrastructure intact.
According to Channel 13, Israel’s diplomatic efforts in Washington are being led by former Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, while the United States continues negotiations with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi.
The broadcaster also cited Israeli sources as saying that Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei was “the only figure capable of derailing the agreement.”
It added that figures close to Trump, including special envoy Steve Witkoff and adviser Jared Kushner, have encouraged the U.S. president to move the agreement forward.
Reuters separately reported Monday, citing two Israeli officials familiar with private discussions, that Netanyahu had told confidants Israel had limited ability to influence Trump’s decision-making on Iran.
According to Reuters, Netanyahu expressed concerns about the memorandum of understanding currently under negotiation.
The sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said Israeli concerns have grown that diplomatic efforts could result in an agreement Tel Aviv views as insufficient to prevent future Iranian nuclear development.
1 min read
Earlier Sunday, Israeli public broadcaster KAN cited a source familiar with the matter as saying Netanyahu spoke by phone with Trump and expressed concern over delaying action on Iran’s nuclear program and linking the Lebanon ceasefire to the emerging agreement.
Trump said Saturday that an agreement with Iran to end the conflict was “largely negotiated” and awaiting finalization.
The breakthrough followed Pakistani Army Chief Asim Munir’s second visit to Tehran in recent weeks.
A ceasefire in the conflict that began on Feb. 28 was first brokered by Pakistan on April 8.
Set as preferred source
Set as preferred source
1 min read
