Israeli leaders criticize U.S.-Iran interim agreement, blame Prime Minister Netanyahu
Israel's political spectrum voiced strong opposition to the U.S.-Iran interim nuclear deal, accusing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of mismanaging the conflict and limiting Israel's options in Lebanon.
Jerusalem – Israeli officials and opposition figures expressed sharp criticism on Monday after the United States announced an interim agreement with Iran aimed at curbing Tehran's nuclear program. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu said he would continue to oppose any Iranian nuclear capability, emphasizing that the deal was reached by Washington, not Israel, and noting that Iran's demand for an Israeli withdrawal from Lebanon had not been met.
Other members of the government and senior politicians, including former prime minister Ehud Barak and opposition leader Yair Lapid, accused Netanyahu of strategic miscalculations. Barak said Israel was paying the price of Netanyahu's decisions, while Lapid called the agreement “one of the most shocking failures in Israel’s foreign and security policy” and pledged to reverse it.
The deal, which is expected to extend the cease-fire between the United States and Iran and reopen the Strait of Hormuz, also includes provisions that Iran wants to link to a cessation of Israeli hostilities in Lebanon. Defense Minister Israel Katz affirmed that Israeli troops would remain in Lebanon, despite U.S. concerns that Israeli strikes could jeopardize the agreement.
Former U.S. ambassador to Israel Daniel Shapiro warned that any escalation by Hezbollah could increase pressure on Netanyahu, noting that the arrangement may limit Israel's ability to respond to attacks from the Lebanese militant group. National security minister Itamar Ben-Gvir urged the government not to compromise on dismantling Hezbollah, even if it risks the U.S. deal.
Analysts noted that the war, launched on Feb. 28, had not achieved its stated goal of halting Iran's nuclear ambitions, and that Iran's proxy network and missile capabilities remain active. Political commentator Anna Barsky said Israel believes the conflict delayed Iran's nuclear program but did not alter its objectives. Regional officials familiar with the negotiations said the agreement would involve a phased lifting of sanctions and release of frozen Iranian assets.
