AiBotTEL AVIV (Reuters) – Israel was caught off guard by U.S. President Donald Trump’s sudden decision to withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal in 2018, citing intelligence it had been unaware of significant progress in the negotiations between Trump and Iranian officials, according to declassified documents released on Wednesday.
According to sources familiar with the matter, Israel’s top national security officials had no knowledge that Trump was close to striking a new agreement with Iran. These officials had been closely monitoring U.S.-Iran relations, expecting the Trump administration to reimpose harsh sanctions or potentially take a more aggressive stance in response to perceived Iranian provocations.
Declassified documents show that Israeli officials believed Trump’s administration to be divided on the question of re-engagement with Iran, and were surprised by the Trump’s sudden shift towards diplomacy. The documents reveal that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu had been urging Trump to be more belligerent, and had expressed concerns about the risk of Iran acquiring nuclear capabilities.
The lack of awareness in Israel about Trump’s diplomatic efforts with Iran raises questions about the effectiveness of the U.S.-Israeli intelligence-sharing relationship. Israel has historically maintained a close relationship with successive U.S. administrations, with both countries sharing intelligence on regional security matters. However, the declassified documents suggest that this cooperation may have been patchy in this instance.
Trump’s decision to withdraw from the Iran nuclear deal in May 2018 marked a significant turning point in international relations. It prompted concerns among allies that the U.S. was abandoning a key effort to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear capabilities. Trump’s subsequent moves to reimpose sanctions on Iran saw the country’s economy contract, while Tehran continued to enrich uranium, sparking fears of a regional conflict.
The revelation of Israel’s lack of awareness about Trump’s Iran deal comes as the Biden administration seeks to revive the 2015 agreement. U.S. officials have reported progress in recent weeks, though both the U.S. and Iran say the talks remain delicate. The Israeli government has publicly expressed reservations about reviving the agreement, citing concerns about Iran’s regional behavior.
In a statement, the Israeli government said it remained committed to preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear capabilities, and would continue to work closely with the U.S. and other international partners to achieve this goal.