Israeli analysts have expressed confusion and disappointment after United States President Donald Trump announced that negotiations with Iran to end the conflict would continue, despite previous threats of military strikes, reports Al Jazeera.
Trump’s comments follow his warnings of attacks on Iran’s energy infrastructure and come amid Iran’s denials that any talks are taking place.
Throughout the war, Israeli leaders have positioned themselves at the forefront of the campaign against Iran. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu frequently claimed he persuaded the US to confront what he described as an existential threat to Israel.
In a video statement on Monday after Trump’s remarks, Netanyahu said the US president believed it was possible to leverage “the mighty achievements obtained by [the Israeli military] and the US military to realise the goals of the war in an agreement … that will safeguard our vital interests.”
“In parallel, we continue to attack, both in Iran and Lebanon,” he added. “We are methodically dismantling the missile programme and the nuclear programme and continue to hit Hezbollah hard.”
Despite these assertions, many Israelis had been led to expect the war would likely overthrow the Iranian government. With the Islamic Republic still intact and recent Iranian attacks hitting Israel, the prospect of a negotiated resolution has unsettled many.
Former Israeli ambassador Alon Pinkas told Al Jazeera that if Trump is pursuing negotiations against Netanyahu’s objections, it may indicate the US president realises “Netanyahu may have duped [Trump] on how quick and resounding a victory would be, and how viable regime change is.”
Political scientist Ori Goldberg said Israel appears to have been excluded from talks, undermining Netanyahu’s efforts to deepen US involvement. “Is it a defeat for Netanyahu? Hell, yes!” he said from outside Tel Aviv. “It’s Trump essentially ditching Israel. For now, at least, we’ll still be able to destroy Lebanon and starve Gaza, but any idea that we’re a serious player that the US or any state would want to talk with has gone. Nobody wants to talk to us.”
Netanyahu and his far-right allies have emphasised the support of Trump, celebrating his 2024 presidential election victory as a new period of closer Israel-US partnership. However, the US president’s unpredictability, combined with the power imbalance between the countries, has caused concern, such as during the US-imposed ceasefire in Gaza in late 2025 and halting attacks on Iran in June 2025.
Some analysts suggest that Israel’s exclusion from negotiations does not negate the gains it has made against Iran. Israeli political analyst Nimrod Flashenberg said from Berlin: “I don’t think there was any expectation that Israel would be involved in diplomatic efforts to end the war. Israel is no longer a country that does diplomacy. [But] I’m doubtful that Netanyahu was ever serious about regime change. If he was, he wouldn’t have sabotaged or even killed so many people inside the regime that could have brought that about.”
Flashingenberg added: “If you assume this was about downgrading Iran’s military capabilities, then he’s done that, and he’s done it in such a way that’s going to ensure the US’s long-term commitment to making sure it remains downgraded.”
