US intelligence agencies have warned the Trump administration that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu may take steps that could disrupt President Donald Trump’s efforts to secure a long-term agreement with Iran, the Washington Post reported, citing American officials and intelligence assessments circulated this week.
The assessments say Netanyahu is determined to continue fighting in Lebanon, not only for security reasons but also for political ones, with Israel’s upcoming election in mind. American analysts reportedly believe that withdrawing from southern Lebanon could be seen inside Israel as a political defeat for Netanyahu, making him more likely to keep up pressure on Hezbollah. The report says Israeli public opinion broadly supports intensifying the fight against the group.
According to the article, Israel also has deep reservations about the understandings between Washington and Tehran. Officials in Jerusalem reportedly fear the deal could limit Israel’s freedom to act against Hezbollah and weaken its policy of maximum pressure on Iran. They also say Israel’s military presence in southern Lebanon is essential to removing the threat to northern communities.
The Trump administration, meanwhile, worries that widening the war in Lebanon could collapse the Iran agreement and worsen tensions between Washington and Jerusalem. US officials said the understandings are not meant to stop Israel from responding if Hezbollah attacks, but to prevent an escalation that could endanger the deal. One administration view cited in the report is that completing the agreement and opening the Strait of Hormuz matter more than the fighting in Lebanon.
The report also describes growing friction between Trump and Netanyahu over the Lebanon front. Trump has reportedly urged Netanyahu not to escalate strikes in Beirut, warning it could harm the Iran talks. In an interview with Axios, Trump said his relationship with Netanyahu was “good,” but added, “we need to keep him a little bit sane,” and said Israel does what he tells it to do.
