Khaberni - Israeli officials reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has asked his ministers to refrain from directing personal criticisms at U.S. President Donald Trump, amid escalating tensions between Tel Aviv and Washington over handling Iran and Hezbollah.
Officials claimed - according to Israeli site "i24 News" - that Trump's administration and his negotiating team misunderstand the ideology driving Iran and Hezbollah.
According to officials, Israel fears that Iran could use any potential agreement with the United States to rebuild its economy and bolster its military capabilities, in exchange for limited concessions regarding its nuclear program and support for allies in the region.
Discontent within Israeli political and security circles has increased over President Trump's handling of the Iranian and Lebanese files after Washington reached a memorandum of understanding with Tehran.
Public Spat
The spat went public as Israeli National Security Minister, the hard-right Itamar Ben-Gvir, said last Monday that "Trump’s agreement does not bind us."
He added that Israel is not subordinate to the United States, stressing that Tel Aviv is not a party to this agreement, while Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich said the deal is bad for Israel, urging Israel to continue its own campaign against Iran.
In contrast, Trump said in an interview with Axios last Thursday that without him, Israel would have been flattened, asserting that Israel holds a lot of respect for him and will do as he says.
Trump also acknowledged his disagreement with Netanyahu, advising him to "calm down" and be sensible in Lebanon, indicating Israel's ongoing attacks there.
Last Thursday, U.S. Vice President J.D. Vance also harshly criticized members of the Israeli government who attacked the understanding between Washington and Tehran, saying that two-thirds of the weapons that protected Israel recently are American-made and funded by American taxpayers.
He said he does not trust any country, including Israel, when it comes to international relations and diplomacy, and later acknowledged that Israel seeks to influence American politics, urging American leaders to be very careful whether they are pursuing an agenda serving the interests of the United States or another country.
Last Saturday, the Washington Post reported that American intelligence agencies warned the Trump administration that Netanyahu might take steps that could undermine efforts to reach a lasting peace agreement with Iran.
Iran and the United States announced on June 14th the achievement of a 14-point agreement, known as the "Islamabad Memorandum of Understanding," which includes stopping the war and addressing differences between the two sides through negotiations.
The agreement was digitally signed last Wednesday by Iranian President Masoud Bazshkiyan and U.S. President Donald Trump, and it includes provisions related to ending the war on multiple fronts including Lebanon, reopening the Strait of Hormuz, and lifting the American maritime blockade on Iran.
