Israel Voices Concern Over US-Iran Agreement Limiting Israeli Military Actions in Lebanon

The Israeli government has expressed concern that Washington is effectively legitimizing Iranian influence in Lebanon while restricting Israel’s military freedom of action there, following recent understandings reached in Switzerland.

Israeli sources told Axios that officials are worried these new agreements could undermine months-long efforts by both Washington and Tel Aviv to weaken Hezbollah and curb Iranian influence in Lebanon. They are particularly anxious about possible American pushback whenever Israel seeks to carry out strikes on Lebanese territory, alongside pressure from President Donald Trump to withdraw from southern Lebanon, despite the ongoing threat posed by Hezbollah.

The memorandum of understanding signed between the United States and Iran stipulates that both countries and their allies will cease all hostile actions, including those occurring in Lebanon, while committing to uphold Lebanon’s regional security and sovereignty. Israel views its continued occupation of southern Lebanon as a threat to this sovereignty.

In the days following the memorandum’s signing, several rounds of fighting took place, although the latest ceasefire has held since last Saturday. Iran had threatened to close the Strait of Hormuz and boycott the Switzerland talks if Israeli attacks persisted.

When negotiations officially began on Sunday, Lebanon was a key topic of discussion. Both sides agreed to establish a new "deconfliction cell" involving Lebanon and mediators from Pakistan and Qatar to ensure the ceasefire’s durability.

Israeli Concerns About Restricted Military Freedom

Israeli sources claim that the new US-Iran agreements regarding Lebanon undermine prior understandings reached in 2024 between Benjamin Netanyahu’s government and the administration of former President Joe Biden, which had the current Trump administration’s endorsement.

Under the 2024 ceasefire agreement mediated by the Biden administration, Israel retained the right to act against both imminent and emerging threats posed by Hezbollah. However, under the current arrangements, Israel’s operational freedom appears limited to imminent threats only.

Whereas the previous ceasefire monitoring mechanism included Israel, Lebanon, the United States, and France, Israel is not a direct participant in the new mechanism, while Iran is involved.

Furthermore, the Biden-era monitoring focused on coordinating efforts to dismantle Hezbollah’s military infrastructure in southern Lebanon, whereas the new mechanism emphasizes avoiding clashes between the Israeli army and Hezbollah.

Netanyahu Prioritizes Lebanon Over Nuclear Issues

An Israeli source stated that although Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is attentive to the nuclear aspects of the US-Iran deal, he is currently much more concerned about the Lebanon-related provisions. Israeli moves against Hezbollah carry significant domestic political weight ahead of the October elections. The source described Netanyahu as "hysterical" about this issue.

Recently, Netanyahu requested that his close associate Ron Dermer, who left the government several months ago, urgently leverage his connections within President Trump’s team to influence the US-Iran talks on Lebanon. According to the same source, Dermer’s involvement contributed to Trump posting a threat on the Truth Social platform warning Iran against allowing Hezbollah to act unchecked.

An American official confirmed Dermer’s involvement, stating that US negotiators in Switzerland spoke with him multiple times on Sunday to update him on the Iranian discussions and seek his input, adding, "We were transparent with them."

A Lebanese official indicated that President Joseph Aoun is willing to accept the new mechanism provided it remains led by the United States. Vice President of the United States J.D. Vance and Trump envoy Jared Kushner briefed President Aoun on the deconfliction mechanism during a phone call on Monday.

A senior American official asserted that Iran has been deeply involved in Lebanon for decades and reassured that Israel need not worry about the new mechanism, since the United States is part of it and the direct channel between Washington and Tehran on Lebanon will only serve Israel’s interests.