Trump’s Iran Deal Puts Lebanon at Center of Israel-U.S. Dispute

Lebanon has become the central point of tension between Israel and the Trump administration as Washington advances its Iran track and presses Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to restrain IDF activity in the north, according to Israeli and international reports.

Israeli officials fear the dispute could move from public pressure to practical measures, including delays in weapons shipments and limits on security assistance, Maariv reported Thursday.

The concern comes as U.S. President Donald Trump pushes forward with the understanding with Iran that Israeli officials believe could affect Israel’s freedom of action against Hezbollah in Lebanon. Israel has said it is not party to the planned U.S.-Iran deal, and Axios reported that Netanyahu does not consider Israel bound by the agreement’s Lebanon provisions. 

According to Maariv, Israeli officials believe Trump will increase pressure on Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to withdraw from five points in southern Lebanon and from the Syrian Hermon, where Israeli forces hold strategic positions on the Syrian side of Mount Hermon. The report said Washington is also pressing Israel to reduce military activity that could endanger the diplomatic track with Iran.

The main Israeli concern, according to the report, is that American pressure may not remain limited to difficult conversations or public criticism. Israeli officials cited by Maariv warned that if Israel refuses the demands, Washington could move toward practical steps, including delays in weapons shipments, restrictions on operational assistance and measures that could resemble an arms embargo.

Reuters reported separately that Israel is holding “stubborn” talks with Washington over its continued military deployment in southern Lebanon. The U.S.-Iran interim pact calls for ending fighting on all fronts, including Lebanon, and for “preserving Lebanon’s territorial integrity and sovereignty.”

Axios reported that Israel does not consider itself bound by the Lebanon portion of the U.S.-Iran understanding. According to the report, Netanyahu told Trump that Israel would not withdraw from southern Lebanon unless Hezbollah is disarmed.

The dispute became public during Trump’s remarks at the G7 summit in France. Trump criticized Israel’s strikes in Lebanon and directed personal comments at Netanyahu.

“Netanyahu is a good man, but he gets a little excited sometimes,” Trump said, according to Reuters. “We have a little dispute over Lebanon. I say you can use a little softer touch, Bibi.”

Trump added that Israel does not need to “knock down a building every time somebody walks into it that’s from Hezbollah.”

Israeli officials see the comments as part of a wider American effort to restrain Israel in the north while the Iran talks advance. According to Maariv, officials in Israel believe Trump is trying to obtain an Israeli concession in Lebanon that he can present as part of a broader diplomatic achievement connected to Iran.

Hezbollah has also linked the Iran track to Lebanon. The terror group said it received assurances from Iran that in the next stage of talks with the U.S., Iran would demand an IDF withdrawal from Lebanon. “There will be no nuclear deal between Iran and the U.S. unless the Israelis withdraw,” Hezbollah said.

Behind the scenes, Israeli officials are trying to ease the crisis with the White House, Maariv reported. Officials have discussed a possible meeting with Trump or sending a senior delegation to Washington, but according to the report, no American answer has yet been received.

For now, Israel is rejecting a full withdrawal from positions it sees as necessary for security in the north, while Washington is pressing for restraint in Lebanon as the Iran track moves forward.