Netanyahu Admits Difficulty Influencing Trump on Iran

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has acknowledged difficulties in influencing US President Donald Trump’s stance on Iran. The admission emerged as reports indicated that a Washington-Tehran agreement to end the war is drawing closer. Israeli local media, as reported by Anadolu Agency on Monday (25 May 2026), stated that Netanyahu’s admission was made during closed-door government discussions held in recent weeks. This revelation comes as US-Iran negotiations appear closer to a deal aimed at ending the war. Israeli TV channel Channel 13, citing anonymous political sources familiar with the matter, reported that Netanyahu expressed concerns during closed-door government talks regarding the emerging US-Iran deal. According to the Israeli media report, Netanyahu admitted that Tel Aviv currently ‘has no room to manoeuvre’ to influence Trump’s decisions. The report stated that Israel’s Security Cabinet held meetings late on Sunday (24 May) amid growing reports of a potential imminent US-Iran agreement. Israeli security institutions remain on high alert due to concerns that the deal could provide political cover for Iran, ease economic pressure, and leave its nuclear infrastructure and proxies intact. Channel 13 reported that Israel’s diplomatic efforts in Washington are led by former Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, while the US continues negotiations with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi. Channel 13’s report, citing Israeli sources, also stated that Iran’s Supreme Leader Mojtaba Khamenei is ‘the only figure capable of thwarting the deal’. Channel 13 added in its report that figures close to Trump, including US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and presidential adviser and son-in-law Jared Kushner, have urged the US president to advance the deal. Israel’s concerns are growing that diplomatic efforts may result in a deal deemed insufficient by Tel Aviv to prevent Iran from developing nuclear capabilities in the future. On Sunday (24 May), Israeli public broadcaster KAN cited a source familiar with the matter stating that Netanyahu spoke to Trump by phone, expressing concerns over delays in actions regarding Iran’s nuclear file and linking Lebanon’s ceasefire to Iran in the ongoing deal. On Saturday (23 May), Trump stated that the agreement with Iran to end the war is ‘largely negotiated’ and awaiting finalisation. The breakthrough followed Pakistani military chief Asim Munir’s visit to Tehran – the second in recent weeks.