Ezekieli Warns the Emerging U.S.-Iran Deal Could Already Be Hurting Israel

Israeli commentator Tzvi Yehezkeli wrote on social media Tuesday morning about the developing agreement between the United States and Iran, saying the first signs of damage to Israel are already visible. He said that for years Israel had passed Washington intelligence showing that the Iranians were lying, concealing information, and misleading the world.

Yehezkeli said the main concern lies in the deal’s uranium and nuclear clauses, especially the possibility that Iran will still be allowed to continue enriching uranium. In his view, the tone coming out of Tehran already shows how comfortable Iran feels in disregarding the international system after preserving key parts of its nuclear capability.

He also argued that the weakening of Israeli deterrence can be seen in other arenas as well, from stone-throwing in Judea and Samaria to Hezbollah’s behavior, and even in the confidence Iran and Qatar are showing toward Israel. “We are beginning to see the beginning of the damage,” he wrote.

Yehezkeli added that reports that Iran continues to deceive the world probably will not greatly concern Donald Trump, since, as he put it, “even in the past American intelligence knew a lot, and Washington still continued to negotiate with Tehran.” Still, he ended on a cautious note, saying the Middle East is never final, and “one change in the balance of power or in interests can turn everything around.”