Israel’s Netanyahu grapples with Trump’s Iran deal amid mounting political pressure

Netanyahu remained largely quiet as Trump unveiled and signed a deal with Iran that Israeli officials view as a strategic and political disaster, leaving the prime minister politically isolated as allies hesitate to condemn it. Behind-the-scenes Israeli briefings and Netanyahu-aligned media attacks signal strain within pro-Israel circles. A key point of friction is the MOU’s Lebanon clause, which Netanyahu questions because it implies an Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon if Hezbollah is not disarmed. U.S. officials say Israel will retain the right to retaliate and aim to advance a Lebanon settlement within 60 days. Overall, the episode marks another setback for Netanyahu’s standing with his indispensable ally.