Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly acknowledged that Israel currently has very limited ability to influence United States President Donald Trump regarding ongoing negotiations with Iran over efforts to end the conflict between Washington and Tehran.
According to a report by Israel’s Channel 13 on Sunday (May 24), Netanyahu made the remarks during informal political discussions while expressing deep concerns about the direction of the US-Iran negotiations. The report cited political sources familiar with the conversations.
Netanyahu reportedly admitted that Israel has “no room to maneuver” when it comes to shaping Trump’s decisions on Iran, highlighting growing unease inside the Israeli government over the possibility of a diplomatic settlement between Washington and Tehran.
The developments come as the United States and Iran continue exchanging proposals aimed at reaching a broader agreement to halt hostilities and reduce tensions in the region. Each new proposal from Washington has reportedly been accompanied by pressure from Trump urging Tehran to quickly approve the terms.
On Saturday (May 23), Trump said that a potential agreement with Iran had “largely been negotiated” and was now awaiting finalization. His statement fueled speculation that the two countries could soon reach a framework agreement addressing military escalation, sanctions, and regional security issues.
The prospect of a US-Iran agreement has alarmed many officials in Netanyahu’s administration, who believe diplomatic negotiations alone will not be sufficient to prevent Iran from rebuilding or expanding its nuclear capabilities in the future.
Israeli officials have long argued that Tehran’s nuclear ambitions represent a direct threat to Israel’s national security. Netanyahu has repeatedly insisted that any agreement with Iran must include strict limitations on uranium enrichment, missile development, and regional military activity.
Amid concerns over the negotiations, Netanyahu’s cabinet reportedly held internal discussions to prepare for various scenarios should Washington and Tehran successfully conclude a deal.
Political sources cited in the report said Netanyahu personally contacted Trump by phone to discuss the issue. During the conversation, Netanyahu reportedly voiced concern over what he viewed as delays in dealing decisively with Iran’s nuclear program.
He also reportedly linked the ongoing ceasefire arrangements in Lebanon to the broader negotiations with Iran, suggesting that regional security issues were interconnected and should not be treated separately.
The concerns reflect Israel’s broader fear that a diplomatic settlement between Washington and Tehran could eventually ease economic pressure on Iran and allow the country to strengthen its military capabilities.
According to individuals familiar with the matter, Israeli officials believe that Iran could regain significant financial resources if sanctions are relaxed under a future agreement. Those funds, they argue, could later be used to support armed groups allied with Tehran across the Middle East.
The Channel 13 report also suggested that Israeli officials see Mojtaba Khamenei, son of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, as a key figure capable of influencing or potentially blocking a final agreement between the United States and Iran.
Political observers say Netanyahu’s reported admission marks a significant shift in tone compared to his previous confidence in his relationship with Trump. Earlier in the conflict, Netanyahu frequently emphasized his close ties with the US president and portrayed Washington and Tel Aviv as fully aligned on Iran policy.
However, recent reports have suggested growing friction between the two allies over the handling of the conflict and the direction of negotiations.
Several Israeli defense officials previously claimed that Trump had increasingly sidelined Netanyahu from sensitive diplomatic discussions involving Iran. According to those reports, the Israeli leader had gradually shifted from being an active strategic partner to a more peripheral figure in the negotiations.
The tension reportedly intensified after joint US-Israeli military operations failed to fully weaken Iran’s military infrastructure during earlier phases of the conflict.
Some Israeli officials allegedly became frustrated that Washington appeared increasingly focused on securing a diplomatic breakthrough rather than continuing military pressure against Tehran.
As a result, Israel has reportedly relied more heavily on its own intelligence networks and regional diplomatic contacts to monitor developments in the US-Iran talks.
Israeli officials are particularly concerned that Washington may ultimately agree to terms similar to the 2015 nuclear agreement, which Netanyahu strongly opposed during the administration of former US President Barack Obama.
That agreement, formally known as the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA), limited certain aspects of Iran’s nuclear program in exchange for sanctions relief. Israel argued at the time that the deal failed to address Iran’s ballistic missile program and regional military influence.
Current concerns inside Israel reportedly center on the possibility that the Trump administration may also choose not to insist on strict restrictions involving Iran’s missile development activities.
At the same time, Trump has signaled increasing optimism about the chances of reaching a broader regional understanding with Tehran.
During separate remarks over the weekend, Trump said the United States and Iran had “mostly negotiated” a memorandum of understanding related to reopening and securing the Strait of Hormuz, one of the world’s most strategically important shipping routes.
The Strait of Hormuz remains critical for global energy markets because a large portion of the world’s oil and liquefied natural gas shipments pass through the narrow waterway connecting the Persian Gulf to the Gulf of Oman.
Regional tensions escalated dramatically after the United States and Israel launched major strikes against Iran on February 28. Tehran quickly retaliated by targeting US military assets in Gulf countries as well as Israeli-linked positions.
The conflict triggered widespread fears of a broader regional war and caused major disruptions to global shipping, energy supplies, and diplomatic relations across the Middle East.
Although recent negotiations have raised hopes for de-escalation, major disagreements reportedly remain unresolved, particularly regarding Iran’s nuclear activities, sanctions relief, and long-term security guarantees.
Analysts say Netanyahu’s latest reported remarks demonstrate how deeply concerned Israeli leaders remain about the possibility of a compromise between Washington and Tehran that could reshape the regional balance of power.
For Israel, the fear is not only about Iran’s nuclear capabilities but also about the geopolitical consequences of any agreement that could restore Tehran’s economic strength and diplomatic standing.
As negotiations continue, the gap between Israel’s hardline approach and the Trump administration’s growing openness to diplomacy appears increasingly visible, potentially creating new strains in one of the Middle East’s most important alliances.
