As President Donald Trump shows signs of progress toward a potential agreement with Iran, Israeli officials are increasingly clarifying what they believe should be included in this deal to ensure that Tehran can’t reconstruct its military strength and regional influence.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu emphasized on Wednesday that Israel and the United States are “fully aligned” during the ongoing negotiations. He stated, “Our main goal is to eliminate all uranium enrichment in Iran and dismantle its enrichment capabilities,” at the start of a security cabinet meeting.
Trump mentioned during a press conference that discussions had been productive, asserting, “There’s a strong chance we’ll come to an agreement.” However, he cautioned that if talks break down, “we will have to take even more drastic measures.”
From Israel’s perspective, it’s not just about the end of the war, but whether Iran might manipulate the negotiations. Concerns linger that a weak deal could empower Tehran to maintain its strategic arsenal, regain financial stability, and potentially rebuild militant networks that presented risks to Israel before the conflict. Additionally, Israel is seeking assurances that any future agreements would protect its military influence and operational freedom should Iran fail to uphold its commitments.
Amid these discussions, Israeli analysts identify four primary concerns: dismantling Iran’s enrichment framework, curbing its ballistic missile program, restricting the rebuilding of Hezbollah and Hamas, and ensuring that the regime does not gain political legitimacy or strategic advantages from negotiations.
Not Enough Progress
Former Israeli National Security Adviser Yaakov Amidrow stated that Israel’s stance on the nuclear issue remains uncompromising. “Weaponized uranium must be removed from Iran. We cannot allow the Iranians to enrich uranium,” he insisted. Israeli journalist Nadav Eyal echoed the sentiment, stressing the need for a more stringent framework than past agreements.
Eyal suggested that Israel seeks to stop enrichment as much as possible and wants all enriched materials taken out of Iran, advocating for a comprehensive arms control framework.
Abner Golov, from the Mind Israel think tank, highlighted the importance of dismantling Iran’s underground nuclear facilities completely. He noted, “This includes halting the construction of new sites.” He also raised concerns about a potential “sunset clause,” which might allow restrictions to expire after some time. “Any deal must not have an expiration,” he asserted, calling for “unprecedented oversight.”
Jonathan Ruhe from the Jewish Institute for National Security Studies stressed that the U.S. and Israel should have aligned goals in terms of a lasting agreement, particularly one that ensures a verifiable end to Iran’s nuclear weapons ambitions, which includes closing enrichment facilities.
Missile Proliferation Concerns
Alongside nuclear fears, Iran’s ballistic missile capabilities remain a crucial concern. Eyal pointed out that any restrictions on Iran’s missile program are essential from an Israeli viewpoint, equating the missile threat to that of nuclear weaponry. Moreover, Amidrow cautioned that without missile controls, the ramifications could extend beyond Israel, reaching Europe and even the United States in a matter of years.
Golov argued that a nuclear-only deal would allow Iran to reinforce its missile capabilities, suggesting it would enable the country to develop a protective framework around its nuclear program.
Proxy Influences
Israel fears that renewed sanctions relief and trade could funnel resources to Iran’s regional allies. Eyal stated, “It’s crucial that Iran distances itself from its involvement in Lebanon and Gaza, and ceases support for armed factions against Israel.” He emphasized that any money funneled to Iran should not bolster its ability to support regional groups.
Amidrow noticed that Iran’s capacity to back groups like Hezbollah and Hamas has been diminished due to disrupted supply routes, but cautioned that the perception of U.S. withdrawal from negotiations might empower Iran’s proxies post-war.
Legitimacy Issues
Rouhe pointed out that Israel aims to prevent any deal that legitimizes Iran’s regime without significantly weakening it. He stressed the importance of avoiding measures that normalize relations without addressing ongoing security concerns.
Ultimately, the consequences of a faulty agreement could limit Israel’s actions against both Iran and its proxies. Rouhe articulated that a primary goal for Iran is to engage the Trump administration in negotiations that would sideline military considerations, all while creating rifts between Washington and Jerusalem.
