Israel wary of possible US-Iran deal as pressure mounts over Lebanon operations

Report by Amal Shehadeh, English adaptation by Karine Keuchkerian 

Israel is cautiously awaiting details of a framework reportedly nearing agreement between the United States and Iran, aimed at ending the war and centered on Iran’s nuclear program.

Tel Aviv considers any agreement with Iran to be unfavorable and fears it may not address two key issues: ballistic missiles, which, if Tehran does not relinquish them, pose a significant threat, and the Lebanon file, particularly with regard to Hezbollah. 

Israel is concerned that the agreement could include Lebanon, potentially limiting its ability to continue operations there, despite escalating its threats.

Ahead of the anticipated U.S.-Iran framework, internal Israeli divisions over operations against Hezbollah have intensified.

Leaders of settlements and residents have launched a campaign against Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and several officials, accusing them of yielding to U.S. President Donald Trump’s demands to scale back strikes on Lebanon, which they say is hindering the army’s operations.

Alongside the military, they have facilitated access for various Israeli media outlets to southern areas to cover ongoing military operations, the army’s advances, and its confrontations with Hezbollah fighters, while acknowledging the threat posed by explosive drones.

Amid anticipation of a U.S.-Iran agreement, and as the state of emergency and operations against Hezbollah continue, including recent attacks on its infrastructure across several areas from southern Lebanon to the Bekaa, Israel fears that Trump may impose a full ceasefire with Lebanon.

It is racing against time to carry out the broadest possible strikes against Hezbollah targets before such a decision is made.