Netanyahu Responds to U.S.-Iran Deal, Says Iran Will Not Get Nuclear Weapons

More than half a day after U.S. President Donald Trump announced an agreement with Iran, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu delivered a special televised statement to the Israeli public on Tuesday at 8:00 p.m., his first since the deal became known. Netanyahu said, “We saved the State of Israel, Iran will not have nuclear weapons.”

Former prime minister Naftali Bennett was also expected to speak the same evening. Both speeches were set to focus on the deal’s implications for Israel’s security and continued military activity in the Middle East, amid deep concern in Israel over the emerging agreement.

At the same time, U.S. Vice President JD Vance said the United States and Iran had signed the agreement digitally ahead of a formal signing expected on Friday. According to reports, the deal includes a 60-day extension of the ceasefire, the full opening of the Strait of Hormuz and mine clearance, in exchange for a gradual lifting of the U.S. naval blockade and easing sanctions on Iranian oil exports.

Vance said it was still unclear whether Trump would give the document his final approval. “It’s hard to say when or if the president will sign,” he told reporters, adding, “We are still examining the final details.” The U.S. administration also said Israel does not need to withdraw from Lebanon as a condition for the deal and that Jerusalem retains full right to self-defense. Trump said, “Iran will not get anything until it does what it needs to do.”