Israeli leadership orders restraint to avoid undermining emerging US-Iran deal

Israel’s political leadership has instructed the IDF to avoid actions that could damage the emerging agreement between Iran and the United States, according to a report aired Friday evening on Kan News. A source familiar with the matter said the IDF is still carrying out limited strikes in southern Lebanon, but remains restricted in Beirut. According to the report, Hezbollah has also told its fighters not to fire at northern Israeli communities.

The Prime Minister’s Office dismissed the report as “fake news.” Still, the article said Washington and Tehran are closer to agreeing on principles than at any point since the 2015 nuclear deal. President Donald Trump shared a post on Friday by Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, who said the “agreement has never been closer.” The signing could take place as soon as Saturday or Sunday in Geneva.

The developing memorandum is described as a principles framework that would include opening the Strait of Hormuz, extending the ceasefire, and gradually allowing Iranian oil exports. The deal would also call for a broad ceasefire across all fronts, which could further limit IDF operations in Lebanon. At the same time, Kan reported that Israel’s presence in the security zone will remain, along with freedom of action against immediate threats. The nuclear issue would be finalized later in a full agreement.

Following the political directive, the IDF held an assessment on Thursday and decided not to strike a target in Lebanon. The target, which was not in Beirut, was considered not urgent, and the army believed it was worth waiting on non-urgent attacks. The report added that such a strike would not have required political approval, unlike an attack in Beirut, even if rockets were fired at northern communities.