Israel has said it is not bound by the US–Iran memorandum of understanding, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly telling US President Donald Trump that his country remains outside the framework even as he seeks to influence the emerging agreement between Washington and Tehran. The deal, signed this week, aims to pave the way for a comprehensive settlement within 60 days.
According to CNN, cited in reports, Netanyahu has expressed scepticism over Iran’s intentions and believes Tehran is unlikely to accept meaningful constraints on its nuclear programme. He is reportedly working to shape discussions in Washington through conservative media figures and pro-Israel lawmakers, alongside engagement with friendly voices in the US Congress.
The 14-point memorandum between the US and Iran outlines key measures including sanctions relief, reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and the creation of a reconstruction funding framework. However, several contentious issues, particularly Iran’s nuclear programme, verification mechanisms and the role of regional armed groups—have been left for future negotiations.
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The agreement also calls for the “immediate and permanent termination of military operations on all fronts, including in Lebanon”, but does not spell out enforcement mechanisms or directly address Israel’s security concerns. This omission has intensified criticism from Israeli leadership, which argues that its strategic interests are not adequately reflected in the deal.
Despite the diplomatic development, Israeli military operations reportedly continued in southern Lebanon, with local reports stating that drone strikes killed at least three people. The strikes came a day after the US–Iran agreement was signed, signalling continued volatility in the region.
Netanyahu has long maintained that Iran poses a strategic threat to Israel, a position that has often diverged from international intelligence assessments and watchdog agencies. Defence Minister Israel Katz has also reiterated that Israeli forces will maintain “security zones” in Lebanon, Syria and Gaza for an indefinite period to safeguard national security.
The US–Iran agreement marks a significant diplomatic step between the two adversaries, but Israel’s position outside the framework highlights deep geopolitical divisions and raises questions over the durability of any eventual settlement.
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