Netanyahu acknowledges the difficulty of influencing Trump’s decisions regarding Iran

Two sources said that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu informed those close to him in private conversations that Israel has little ability to influence the decisions of US President Donald Trump regarding Iran at a time when Trump is negotiating an agreement to end the war that broke out about three months ago.

Netanyahu’s comments, which were reported to Reuters by two informed Israeli officials, came at a time when Israel has been largely excluded from talks aimed at reaching an initial agreement to stop the war that was sparked by a joint US-Israeli bombing.

Both the United States and Iran have reduced hopes for an imminent agreement, and there are still differences between them over Iran’s nuclear ambitions and Tehran’s demands to lift sanctions, in addition to Israel’s war against the Hezbollah group in Lebanon.

Netanyahu demands that Iran maintain the possibility of continuing operations against what Israel considers threats on all fronts, including Lebanon, a condition that may hinder reaching an agreement if Iran insists on a complete cessation of Israeli military operations in southern Lebanon.

Trump: Netanyahu “will do whatever I want him to do”
One Israeli official, involved in private conversations with Netanyahu, said the prime minister expressed his concerns about the memorandum of understanding currently being negotiated. The two sources spoke on condition of anonymity due to their discussions that took place behind closed doors.

A senior Trump administration official said that the agreement would include Iran opening the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for the United States lifting its naval blockade, to be followed by further negotiations on nuclear issues. The United States and Iran are holding indirect talks, mediated by Pakistan.

Iranian sources told Reuters that in the next stages, “workable formulas” could be reached to resolve the dispute over its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, including reducing the enrichment of the material under the supervision of the United Nations International Atomic Energy Agency.

The Israeli official said that although the agreement does not immediately address Israel’s concerns about Iran’s nuclear program and stockpiles, Netanyahu realizes that Israel “does not have any way to influence President Trump at this time.”

Trump and Netanyahu spoke by phone at least three times over the past week, a period during which Israeli officials said Israel was preparing to return to launching joint air strikes with the United States targeting Iran’s energy infrastructure.

After the first of the three conversations, which took place on Tuesday night, reporters asked Trump what he told Netanyahu. Trump replied, “He is a very wonderful person, and he will do everything I want him to do.”