Israeli Leaders Slam U.S.-Iran Deal as Harmful to Israel

Top Israeli political figures reacted angrily on June 15, 2026 to the agreement between the United States and Iran, with criticism coming from both the government and the opposition. They argued the deal weakens Israel, preserves the Iranian threat, and was concluded without Israel’s involvement.

Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich called the accord “bad for Israel and for the entire free world,” saying the campaign against Iran had achieved major gains and must continue until the regime is brought down and Iran never gets nuclear weapons. He also said Israel must keep operating in Lebanon and ensure the army has full freedom of action against Hezbollah to protect northern residents.

National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir said the agreement “does not bind us,” adding that Israel is sovereign and “not partners” to a deal that does not protect its security. He said Israel must not compromise on dismantling Hezbollah, withdrawing from areas seized from terror infrastructure, or tolerating fire at Israel.

Opposition MK Gadi Eisenkot said the deal was “the sad result of a failed government” that acted without strategy or courage and had lost the public’s trust over three years. Yair Golan of the Democrats called it a “hard morning for Israel,” said Israelis woke up to a deal made “over Israel’s head,” and accused Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of years of strategic failure, saying the agreement funds the Iranian regime while leaving its nuclear and ballistic threats intact.