AiBotJerusalem (Ynet). Israeli officials are intensifying their criticism of the emerging US-Iran agreement, with concerns growing that the accord will fail to adequately restrict Tehran’s ballistic missile programme. Furthermore, there are fears that the deal could ultimately constrain Israel’s military freedom of action in Lebanon, a country where Tel Aviv and Iran have long-standing security interests.
According to Israeli defence officials, the proposed US-Iran agreement may not effectively address the issue of Iran’s ballistic missiles. These officials worry that the deal could be characterised by limited, if any, constraints on Iran’s missile programme, potentially allowing Tehran to maintain or expand its existing capabilities. This has sparked concerns that Israel’s military will be placed at increased risk by an unconstrained Iranian ballistic missile programme.
Another pressing apprehension voiced by Israeli officials relates to the agreement’s potential implications for Israel’s military operations in Lebanon. Diplomats have cautioned that if the US were to press Israel for concessions or withdrawals in Lebanon as part of the deal, it could significantly hamper the Israeli Defence Forces’ (IDF) ability to operate in the region. Some have even warned that, in such a scenario, the IDF could be reduced to a state of ‘handcuffed and paralysed’ ineffectiveness on the northern front, thereby compromising Israel’s critical security interests.
Moreover, Israeli officials are also worried that sanctions relief resulting from the agreement could release billions of dollars for Iranian spending, potentially allowing Tehran to rebuild its military capabilities, strengthen its regional proxy groups and reinforce its overall position within the global arena. The main recipients of this bolstered military spending and influence are likely to be key regional allies of Iran, such as Lebanon’s Hezbollah movement and the Houthi forces from Yemen.
In addressing these deepening concerns over the US-Iran agreement, Israeli officials and policymakers will likely place increased pressure on the American government to take a firmer stance on key issues, including Iranian ballistic missiles and its broader military ambitions in the region. The outcome of these efforts will be closely watched by the Israeli people and international observers alike, with far-reaching implications for the country’s national security and regional influence.