Trump Labels Netanyahu Difficult as Iran Peace Deal Looms

The US President, speaking to The New York Times, insisted that Israel owes a debt of gratitude to the United States for brokering a deal that effectively prevents Iran from obtaining nuclear weaponry. Trump warned that without this intervention, Israel’s survival would be at stake. The agreement, slated for signing on June 19 in Switzerland, aims to secure passage through the Strait of Hormuz and establish a long-term framework for Iran’s nuclear program.

Despite the impending deadline, Israel remains conspicuously absent from the negotiations. Analysts suggest Netanyahu faces significant domestic political pressure to maintain a hardline stance against Iran and its proxies, including Hezbollah. Trump signaled a shift in his approach to Tehran, characterizing the leadership under Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei as "pragmatists." He also floated an unconventional contingency plan: should the deal collapse, the US might assume a role as the region's primary security guarantor in exchange for 20 percent of Middle Eastern oil revenues, though he acknowledged discussions with Gulf allies on this proposal are in their infancy.