Tense Cabinet Meeting Preceded U.S.-Iran Deal Announcement

Israel’s cabinet met on Sunday night in a tense atmosphere as talks between the United States and Iran advanced and reports circulated about a coming agreement. Israeli leaders stressed that they wanted to preserve freedom of military action even after any deal is signed.

According to i24, ministers later described what happened behind the scenes in the hours before the formal announcement. Several cabinet members said Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not look pleased after a phone call with U.S. President Donald Trump. Before that call, Netanyahu told the ministers, “Our goal is to preserve freedom of action against the heaviest pressures. There is no immunity, neither in Beirut nor in Tehran.”

Israel Defense Forces representatives, including Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, presented the security establishment’s position and said, “IDF forces will not withdraw and return to the border. We cannot endanger the fighters.” Some participants also felt that Trump had yielded to oil and money.

Later on Sunday, the United States and Iran announced that they had reached an agreement, and both sides are preparing to sign it formally in Switzerland on Friday. The deal is expected to include a ceasefire on all fronts, including the Lebanese arena.