Netanyahu Reportedly Tells Trump Israel Not Bound by US-Iran Peace Deal

An Israeli official has stated that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told US President Donald Trump that Israel is not bound by the US-Iran peace agreement, which includes provisions for ending the war on all fronts, including in Lebanon. The unnamed official, speaking to CNN on Thursday (18 June), said Netanyahu is attempting to influence the negotiation process over the next 60 days, which is proceeding under a memorandum of understanding (MoU) signed by Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian.

According to the official, Netanyahu is using right-wing media figures and US senators close to him to pressure Trump. The prime minister reportedly believes that no final agreement will be reached between the US and Iran, and that Tehran will not genuinely accept restrictions on its nuclear programme. There has been no immediate response from the Israeli prime minister’s office regarding the report.

The US-Iran peace agreement was announced on Sunday (14 June), with both countries said to have agreed on a 14-point MoU following intensive negotiations mediated by Pakistan. The MoU, referred to as the Islamabad Memorandum, came into effect after being signed digitally and remotely by Trump and Pezeshkian on Wednesday (17 June).

The memorandum permanently ends the war on all fronts, including Lebanon, and establishes a 60-day ceasefire. It also lifts the US blockade on Iran, restores commercial traffic in the Strait of Hormuz, addresses a US$300 billion reconstruction plan, and removes US sanctions. Following the signing, the parties are expected to begin a 60-day negotiation process on various issues, including Iran’s nuclear programme and sanctions relief, in an effort to reach a final agreement.