Israeli leaders blast US-Iran deal as strategic setback

After the United States and Iran announced an agreement, harsh criticism poured in from Israeli politicians who said Washington had given Tehran major concessions without demanding meaningful confidence-building steps. Opposition figures accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of leaving Israel isolated, while coalition ministers argued the deal does not bind Israel and that it must keep freedom of action.

Yair Golan, head of the Democrats, said Israelis woke up to an agreement made "over Israel's head" and claimed that "with one stroke of a pen" major military gains were erased. He said President Donald Trump was sending billions to the ayatollah regime, leaving Iran's nuclear infrastructure intact, keeping the ballistic threat in place and giving a lifeline to the "murderous regime in Tehran." Golan added that Netanyahu had sold the public a false image of "Mr. Security" and ended with the line that replacing him is not only a political need but an existential security one.

Benny Gantz, chairman of Blue and White, warned that Israel must not accept limits on its freedom of action in Lebanon or any withdrawal that could endanger northern residents. He said the emerging deal looked like a strategic failure that would force Israel into a long diplomatic, military and legal struggle, one that only a broad Zionist government could lead. National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir said the Trump agreement is not binding on Israel and that Israel must insist on dismantling Hezbollah, avoid withdrawals from territory captured and cleared of terror infrastructure, and never accept rocket fire or mass terrorists near northern communities.

Coalition minister Miki Zohar praised Netanyahu on Kol Barama radio, saying Trump and Netanyahu were preparing more surprises and dismissing predictions that their relationship was over. He argued that Iran's threat is nuclear weapons, proxies and ballistic missiles, but said nuclear weapons will not happen and that Israel retains the right to defend itself. Meanwhile, European powers Britain, France, Germany and Italy said they would agree to lift sanctions on Iran if it takes steps on its nuclear program, while in the United States Marco Rubio and Pete Hegseth opposed the deal and Vice President J.D. Vance, Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner prevailed. Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan welcomed the accord on X, calling it an important step toward peace and stability and thanking Pakistan, the United States, Iran, Qatar and Saudi Arabia for diplomatic efforts.