The recently announced peace agreement between the United States and Iran has been welcomed by many countries, raising hopes of stability in West Asia and the reopening of vital trade routes through the Strait of Hormuz. Israel, however, has reacted with strong reservations, with several political leaders openly criticising the deal.
The conflict in West Asia began on February 28 when the United States and Israel launched joint strikes on Iran. In the months that followed, the fighting expanded beyond Iran and Israel, drawing in several Gulf nations after Tehran targeted US military installations in the region.
At the same time, hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah intensified once again, extending the conflict into Lebanon. As the United States and Iran prepare to sign a memorandum of understanding in Switzerland on Friday, Israeli leaders have increasingly voiced their opposition to the agreement.
One of the strongest reactions came from Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz, who warned that Israel would respond with full force if Iran launched attacks against the country over its ongoing military operations in Lebanon.
Israeli leaders reject deal
Several members of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s coalition government have argued that the agreement does not apply to Israel and will not influence its military decisions.
National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir stated on X that Israel is a sovereign nation and is not bound by an agreement reached between Washington and Tehran.
While thanking US President Donald Trump and the United States for their support, Ben-Gvir stressed that Israel would not accept any arrangement that it believes compromises its security interests.
He maintained that Israel must continue pursuing the dismantling of Hezbollah, retain control of areas captured during military operations, and prevent armed groups from re-establishing positions near northern Israeli communities.
Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich also criticised the agreement, describing it as harmful to both Israel and the wider democratic world.
According to Smotrich, Israel may have to continue efforts independently to ensure Iran never acquires nuclear weapons.
Katz also reaffirmed that Israel has no intention of withdrawing from Lebanon, Syria or Gaza, saying security zones established by the Israeli military remain a critical achievement. He added that Netanyahu had already communicated this position to the US administration.
Opposition voices concern
Criticism of the agreement has not been limited to the ruling coalition.
Yair Golan, leader of the Israeli Democratic Party, described the development as a difficult moment for Israel. He argued that military gains achieved during recent conflicts had been undermined while Netanyahu failed to effectively influence the diplomatic outcome.
Opposition leader Yair Lapid also expressed concern before the official announcement, saying that if reports about the agreement were accurate, it would represent a major failure of Israel’s foreign and security policy.
Why Israel opposes the agreement
A major point of concern for Israel is that the proposed framework reportedly calls for an end to hostilities across multiple fronts, including Lebanon. Israeli officials have repeatedly stated that military operations against Hezbollah will continue regardless of any broader agreement involving Washington and Tehran.
Israeli concerns also extend to Iran’s nuclear programme. According to reports citing Israeli officials familiar with the discussions, questions surrounding uranium enrichment and long-term nuclear restrictions remain among the most contentious aspects of the deal.
Another source of unease is the possibility of sanctions relief and the release of frozen Iranian assets. Israeli leaders have long argued that additional financial resources could strengthen Tehran’s support for allied groups operating in Lebanon, Yemen and Gaza.
Prime Minister Netanyahu has yet to formally comment on the latest agreement. His most recent public position remains unchanged: Israel will continue pursuing its objective of ensuring that Iran never develops nuclear weapons.
The debate comes after several years of regional conflict involving Israel, including the war with Hamas in Gaza in 2023, fighting with Hezbollah in Lebanon in 2024, the 12-day conflict with Iran in 2025, and the broader US-Iran confrontation that has once again heightened tensions across the region.
