Trump's Interim Iran Deal Could Strengthen Tehran, Israeli Commentator Warns

An Israeli commentary argues that President Donald Trump’s reported push for an interim deal with Iran, after repeatedly saying an agreement was “just around the corner,” would be a strategic mistake that alarms Jerusalem. The article says Trump’s latest claim that “Iran does not even want nuclear weapons anymore” shows either a total misunderstanding of Tehran or an attempt to mislead the public.

Under the reported arrangement, the Strait of Hormuz would reopen to free shipping for both sides and the parties would get a 60-day window to negotiate the “future issues.” The writer says this amounts to giving Iran cash up front and receiving “a deferred check without cover,” because reopening the strait would funnel hundreds of millions of dollars a day to the Iranian regime at the very moment it was nearing collapse under historic pressure.

The piece says the deal ignores Israel’s red lines, with no mention of Iran’s ballistic missile program and no commitment to stop funding and supporting Shiite terror across the Middle East. It also rejects Trump’s apparent desire for a deal “at any price,” calling the approach dangerously naive and saying Iran’s nuclear ambitions have not ended, only adapted.

The article links the American retreat to domestic politics, citing gasoline prices, pressure from Republicans and the approaching congressional elections. It argues that if Trump will not use force four months before the vote, he is even less likely to do so two months later, when the 60-day talks end. Iran, the piece says, understands this and no longer fears his threats.

The commentary also says the effects are already visible in Lebanon, where Iran is allegedly demanding a full ceasefire. It points to three recent Hezbollah violations, including a militant crossing into the Har Ram area and drone launches into Israeli territory, and says Israel refrained from the expected strike on Beirut’s Dahieh district. The writer warns this resembles the “drizzle” and arson balloons from Gaza before October 7, and urges Israel not to accept small violations that could pave the way to a larger disaster.