Khaberni - The Washington Post reported from U.S. officials that the American intelligence agencies have warned President Donald Trump's administration that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu might take steps that would undermine efforts to reach a lasting peace agreement with Iran.
It clarified that intelligence reports indicate that Tel Aviv is determined to continue military operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon, which contradicts a key element of the emerging agreement calling for cessation of attacks there.
According to the newspaper, these developments occur amid significant political pressure on Netanyahu to continue the military campaign in Lebanon, and at a time when tensions are escalating between Netanyahu's government and Trump administration officials who have publicly warned Israel that attacks on Hezbollah could lead to the collapse of the agreement Trump is seeking to conclude.
The officials mentioned that a recent intelligence assessment concluded that Netanyahu's political future—with elections scheduled in the fall—is tied to convincing his popular base that he will not withdraw Israeli forces from Lebanon, and that he is prepared to escalate the confrontation with Hezbollah.
According to the assessment, Israel expresses dissatisfaction with some terms of the American-Iranian agreement, considering that they undermine its goal of maintaining maximum pressure on Tehran.
It pointed out that there is a prevailing belief within Israel that the agreement might limit its ability to confront Hezbollah, and that any withdrawal from Lebanon or end to the conflict could be seen domestically as a political defeat for Netanyahu.
