Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu currently holds minimal leverage over ongoing negotiations between the US and Iran, according to The New York Times citing anonymous Israeli defense sources.
The report states that Israel remains largely excluded from the discussions. As a result, Israeli officials must depend on secondary diplomatic and intelligence networks to track the progress of the talks.
This situation highlights building friction between US President Donald Trump and Netanyahu regarding Iran strategy. Previous reporting from Axios indicated that Netanyahu responded with anger during a phone call with Trump concerning a potential framework to halt hostilities and restart negotiations.
The current talks center on Iran’s nuclear development and regional maritime security, particularly around the Strait of Hormuz.
Trump recently noted that discussions have reached a pivotal phase, cautioning that conditions could escalate rapidly without a formal agreement.