Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has consistently identified Iran as the primary threat to Israel, emphasizing his commitment to protecting the nation from Iranian nuclear ambitions. Recently, he has openly confronted Iran and its allied militias in the region.
In a surprising turn of events, President Trump announced on Monday that the United States would engage in “direct” negotiations with Iran, with Netanyahu present as a supporting figure. This announcement was prominently featured in major Israeli newspapers the following day, prompting a range of expert opinions on the implications of this development.
As Iran's nuclear program reaches unprecedented levels of advancement, some Israeli analysts argue that now may be the optimal time to strike Iran's nuclear facilities. With Iran's traditional allies, such as Hezbollah and Syria, reportedly weakened, an attack could exploit Tehran's vulnerabilities following recent Israeli airstrikes that targeted key nuclear site defenses.
If these direct negotiations occur, they would mark the first official face-to-face talks between the U.S. and Iran since Trump withdrew from the Obama-era nuclear agreement seven years ago, a move strongly advocated by Netanyahu.
In the Oval Office, Netanyahu expressed his alignment with Trump on the goal of preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, stating that a diplomatic solution would be favorable.
Many Israelis share this sentiment, with Yoel Guzansky, a senior researcher at the Institute for National Security Studies, expressing hope for a robust agreement. However, he also cautioned that Trump may adopt a more flexible stance than Israel would prefer, potentially creating a rift between the two nations.
Guzansky highlighted the differing interests of the U.S. and Israel, noting that while Israel is geographically close to Iran and its proxies, the U.S. is distanced and preoccupied with other issues. He expressed hope that Netanyahu would maintain influence within the U.S. administration.
Some analysts predict that the negotiations may ultimately fail, citing Iran's reputation as tough negotiators. However, Trump’s warning that Iran would face “great danger” if no agreement is reached, coupled with reports of the Pentagon deploying B-2 bombers to the Indian Ocean, suggests a military option remains on the table.
Ariel Kahana, a diplomatic commentator, expressed skepticism about Iran's willingness to accept stringent conditions, suggesting that a military confrontation with Iran is increasingly likely.