Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid on Monday criticised the emerging US-Iran deal, calling it “bad for Israel, bad for the region, bad for the citizens of Iran” and accusing Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of failing to influence Washington on the negotiations.
Lapid said the proposed agreement does not meet Israel’s objectives in the war launched by Israel and the United States on February 28. The two allies had vowed to dismantle Iran’s ballistic missile programme, curb its support for regional proxy groups and prevent Tehran from developing a nuclear bomb.
Emerging US-Iran deal may end war, reopen Strait of Hormuz
According to regional officials, the deal under discussion would require Iran to surrender its stockpile of highly enriched uranium and reopen the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for ending a US blockade on Iranian ports and lifting sanctions. Key issues regarding Iran’s nuclear programme would be negotiated during a 60-day period.
While expressing gratitude to US President Donald Trump for backing Israel in the war, Lapid said Netanyahu had little influence over the negotiations.
Lapid, head of the centrist Yesh Atid party, has allied again with former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett ahead of elections due by October. He also ruled out forming a coalition with Arab parties and said a two-state solution with the Palestinians was unlikely in the coming years following the October 7 Hamas attacks and subsequent wars.