Netanyahu privately admits Israel has ‘little ability’ to influence Trump on Iran deal: Report | Today’s news
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has privately acknowledged that he currently has limited ability to influence US President Donald Trump’s decisions on Iran as Washington negotiates a possible deal to end the nearly three-month-old conflict, a Reuters report said, citing two Israeli officials familiar with the discussions.
The comments reportedly came as Israel found itself largely excluded from ongoing talks between the United States and Iran aimed at ending the war, which began with joint US-Israeli bombing earlier this year.
Netanyahu is concerned about the emerging US-Iranian memorandum
According to the news outlet, during private talks, Netanyahu expressed concern over a draft memorandum of understanding currently being negotiated between Washington and Tehran.
The tentative deal would reportedly involve Iran reopening the strategically important Strait of Hormuz in exchange for the United States lifting its naval blockade. The deal would then pave the way for broader negotiations on Iran’s nuclear program.
One Israeli official quoted by Reuters said Netanyahu believes Israel has limited influence over Trump’s current diplomatic approach.
“Israel has no maneuver at this point to influence the president,” the official was quoted as saying.
The US and Iran remain divided on key issues
Despite ongoing indirect talks mediated by Pakistan, major disagreements remain between Washington and Tehran.
The United States and Iran continue to differ on:
– Iran’s nuclear ambitions
-Demand for release of sanctions
-Military operations of Israel in Lebanon
-Enriched uranium stocks in Tehran
Iranian sources said “viable formulas” could eventually be developed to resolve disputes over Iran’s highly enriched uranium stockpile, including dilution measures under the supervision of the International Atomic Energy Agency.
Netanyahu insists Israel retain military freedom
Reuters reported that Netanyahu demanded that Israel retain the right to continue military operations against perceived threats across the region, particularly in southern Lebanon.
This condition could complicate negotiations if Iran insists on a complete halt to Israeli military action against Hezbollah.
After a recent phone conversation with Trump, Netanyahu said the two leaders agreed that: “Any final deal … means dismantling Iran’s nuclear enrichment facilities and removing enriched nuclear material from its territory.”
Netanyahu also said Trump “reaffirmed Israel’s right to defend itself against threats on all fronts, including in Lebanon.”
Trump says Netanyahu will follow US lead
Trump and Netanyahu reportedly spoke by phone at least three times in the past week as diplomatic discussions intensified.
After one of the interviews, Trump was asked by journalists about his message to the Israeli prime minister.
“He’s a very good man, he’ll do whatever I ask him to do,” Trump said.
The news outlet said Israeli officials were simultaneously bracing for the possibility of resuming joint US-Israeli airstrikes on Iran’s energy infrastructure should the talks collapse.
Fighting with Hezbollah continues despite the ceasefire
Although a cease-fire between Israel and Hezbollah was reached on April 16 as part of the broader framework of the US-Iran ceasefire, hostilities continue.
Israeli troops remain deployed in parts of southern Lebanon as the Israeli military continues airstrikes on Hezbollah positions. Hezbollah militants have also launched drones at Israeli troops and northern Israeli cities.
US and Israeli goals diverge
At the start of the military campaign against Iran on February 28, Netanyahu stated that Israel’s objectives included:
-Weakening of Iran’s spiritual leadership
-Removal of nuclear capabilities
-Destruction of ballistic missile infrastructure
-Decreasing Tehran’s regional influence
Reuters earlier reported that Trump authorized the operation after Netanyahu called for joint action, including targeting Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, who was later killed in the initial strikes.
However, Reuters noted that US and Israeli priorities have increasingly diverged since then.
While Israel remains focused on dismantling Iran’s military and nuclear capabilities, the Trump administration is prioritizing efforts to reopen the Strait of Hormuz, a key shipping route that once transported about a fifth of global oil and liquefied natural gas supplies before the conflict broke out.
Read also | Trump Honors Fallen Heroes at Memorial Day Ceremony: ‘We Will Never Forget’
