Israel is worried that Trump will strike a ‘bad deal’ with Iran, leaving war objectives unmet

Israeli sources have expressed deep concern that US President Donald Trump could finalize a deal with Iran without resolving critical issues that triggered the war, including Iran’s ballistic missile program and support for regional proxies. Officials fear a partial agreement—centered solely on uranium enrichment—would leave Iran’s broader military and political threats intact, undermining Israel’s objectives. The war saw Iran launch over 1,000 ballistic missiles at Israel and Gulf states, alongside drone attacks, yet negotiations now appear to exclude these threats. A White House spokeswoman dismissed Iranian claims of resilience, stating that US economic sanctions and military operations have crippled Tehran’s missile production, navy, and proxy networks, costing Iran $500 million daily. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu initially demanded five conditions for a deal: removal of all enriched uranium, dismantling of enrichment facilities, addressing ballistic missiles, dismantling proxy networks, and robust inspections. By late February, he had narrowed his public stance to just uranium removal and dismantling enrichment capabilities, signaling a shift in priorities. Sources indicate Israel now accepts that missiles and proxies may be excluded from early drafts, focusing instead on Iran’s nuclear program as the immediate threat. Netanyahu relies on direct communications with Trump, though Israeli officials remain skeptical about the deal’s completeness. The US has pushed for diplomacy to avoid restarting hostilities, which have driven up global gas prices, while Iran and Israel’s positions on the Strait of Hormuz and nuclear terms remain unresolved. Israeli preparations for potential renewed fighting reflect ongoing tensions as negotiations stall.