Netanyahu Tries to Use Trump Allies to Amend Iran Deal Terms

Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is trying to influence U.S. President Donald Trump through prominent figures on the American right, including commentator Mark Levin and Republican senators close to the White House, CNN reported. The effort comes as Israel seeks changes to the Lebanon-related clauses in the agreement with Iran.

According to an Israeli source quoted by CNN, Netanyahu wants to pressure Trump from within the political camp closest to him, without entering a public confrontation with the president. The aim is to shape public debate in the United States and the final wording of the deal, especially to avoid any commitment by Israel to an immediate and permanent end to the war in Lebanon.

Levin has emerged as one of the central figures in the campaign. He is considered one of the most influential voices on the American right and is seen as having direct access to Trump. In recent days, he has sharply criticized the understandings with Iran and called the agreement “nonsense.” Netanyahu is also trying to enlist friendly Republican senators to push the White House and warn that Israel’s freedom of action against Hezbollah would be harmed.

The effort has faced obstacles, because some of Netanyahu’s traditional allies have avoided confronting Trump and some have even backed the agreement. At the same time, Netanyahu has told Trump that Israel does not see itself as bound by the clause requiring an immediate and permanent end to fighting on all fronts, including Lebanon. Jerusalem insists the IDF will continue operating against Hezbollah and that Israel will not give up its security freedom of action.