Smotrich Slams Iran Deal, Says Israel Must Act Alone

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich sharply attacked the newly signed agreement with Iran on Monday, saying it changes the rules of the game and is "bad for Israel and for the entire free world." In a post on X, he argued that the joint campaign against Iran has already achieved significant results in weakening Tehran, and said those gains will not be lost.

Smotrich said Israel must now continue the effort independently. "We will have to continue the campaign to topple the regime ourselves, in creative ways, and make sure that Iran never has nuclear weapons," he wrote. He added, "No one else would have stood up to the pressure," referring to the international pressure on the Israeli government.

Alongside his criticism of the deal itself, Smotrich offered unusually strong political and diplomatic backing for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, saying that none of the self-styled candidates for prime minister would have endured even 10% of the pressure now facing the government and its leader. He said Netanyahu is under intense international strain.

Smotrich also focused on Israel's northern front and the fight against Hezbollah in Lebanon. "In Lebanon we will be tested," he said, calling it "our war, our fighters, and the immediate security of our northern residents." He ended by promising to keep pushing in the cabinet and government so that the IDF retains full freedom of action in Lebanon and can keep pushing Hezbollah farther from the border.