Reuters: Israel is being sidelined, Netanyahu admits difficulty influencing Trump on Iran

BlockBeats News, May 25th - According to Reuters citing multiple Israeli officials, as the United States leads efforts to broker a ceasefire and nuclear deal with Iran, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has privately acknowledged to close associates that Israel has "virtually no room to intervene in Trump's decisions" at the moment, with Israel gradually being excluded from the core negotiations.

The report stated that the current US-Iran discussions are focused on a preliminary understanding memorandum, which may include Iran reopening the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for the US lifting the maritime blockade and further engaging in nuclear talks. Iran is also said to be considering addressing its stockpile of highly enriched uranium under UN supervision.

However, Israel remains cautious about the agreement. Netanyahu is concerned that the agreement does not adequately address Iran's nuclear program and its stockpile of nuclear materials, and he insists on reserving the right for the Israeli military to continue its operations on multiple fronts, including in Lebanon.

Sources revealed that Trump has spoken with Netanyahu at least three times in the past week. While US-Israel coordination is still maintained, the two sides are showing strategic divergences. The US is currently more inclined to push for the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and a regional ceasefire, while Israel continues to emphasize the complete dismantling of Iran's nuclear enrichment facilities, restrictions on its missile program, and the weakening of its regional proxy network.

The report also noted that these negotiations come as Netanyahu faces domestic political pressure and electoral challenges, with the opposition criticizing him for failing to achieve his previous goals of regime change in Iran and the elimination of its nuclear capabilities.