A U.S.-Iran agreement expected to be formalized in Switzerland on Friday highlighted differences between President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over Iran’s nuclear program and Israel’s military operations in Lebanon.
Trump was expected to sign a memorandum of understanding with Iran that administration officials described as a framework for possible new direct talks on Iran’s nuclear program and other disputes.
Speaking Tuesday, Trump said the agreement would block Iran from obtaining a nuclear weapon.
“Iran will never have a nuclear weapon, that’s what it says,” Trump said. “It won’t have one to buy, to develop. They will not have a nuclear weapon.”
Many details had not been made public, including possible limits on uranium enrichment, inspection mechanisms, and whether sanctions relief could follow.
Netanyahu expressed doubt about the agreement.
“With or without an agreement, Iran will not have nuclear weapons, not today and not tomorrow,” Netanyahu said Monday. “As long as I am Prime Minister of Israel, it will not happen.”
The disagreement also extended to Lebanon, where Israel continued operations against Hezbollah. On Tuesday, Trump said the campaign had gone on too long and was complicating efforts to stabilize the region.
“Israel is fighting Hezbollah for too long and too many people are being killed,” Trump said. “And you don’t have to knock down an apartment house every time you’re looking for somebody.”
Trump also singled out Netanyahu.
“I’ve had a great relationship with Bibi, but now Bibi has to be more responsible with respect to Lebanon,” Trump said.
The dispute grew after Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi reportedly said any Israeli troops remaining in southern Lebanon, or future Israeli strikes there, would violate the agreement.
Israeli officials rejected that interpretation and said operations would continue. Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir said Monday that “Trump’s agreement does not bind us.”
Retired Israeli Defense Forces Brig. Gen. Amir Avivi defended Israel’s position, saying Hezbollah still threatened communities near the border.
“We are not going to let Hezbollah endanger our towns, endanger our soldiers,” Avivi said. “We are a sovereign country. We have a right to defend ourselves.”
Still, Israeli Ambassador to the United States Michael Leiter played down suggestions of a broader split.
“We began this process together and we’ll end it together,” Leiter said.