Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the recent memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran during a press conference on June 15. This statement came as he was one of the last high-ranking officials in Israel to respond to the document, highlighting differences in perspective with U.S. President Donald Trump.
Netanyahu remarked, “President Trump and I do not always look in the same direction. He is the President of the United States, and I am the Prime Minister of Israel. I am responsible for Israel’s security interests, and we must act wisely.” He emphasized Israel’s achievements in its campaigns against Iran and in the broader Middle East context.
“With or without the agreement, Iran will not have nuclear weapons — not today, not tomorrow. As long as I am Prime Minister of Israel, that will not happen,” he asserted.
The Prime Minister also made it clear that Israel intends to maintain its presence in southern Lebanon, Gaza, and Syria, stating, “We will remain in security zones as long as necessary to protect our country.” In response to journalists’ inquiries, he acknowledged the uncertainty surrounding the agreement.
“We still do not know what the terms of the agreement will be,” he said.
On February 28, Israel conducted an attack on Tehran, which was part of a larger military operation involving U.S. forces against Iran. President Trump characterized this operation as a necessary step to eliminate imminent threats posed by the Iranian regime, accusing it of supporting militant groups in Syria, Lebanon, Iraq, and Palestine.
The Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) claimed responsibility for launching missiles and drones towards Israel and attacking U.S. military bases in Qatar, Saudi Arabia, and the United Arab Emirates. The European Union expressed its commitment to ensuring regional security and stability in the Middle East.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky remarked on the need to allow Iranians a chance to rid themselves of a “terrorist regime” to guarantee safety for all nations affected by attacks from Iran. On the same day, Trump announced the death of Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, a claim later confirmed by the Islamic Republic News Agency (IRNA).
The IRGC then declared it would initiate the most destructive offensive operation in the history of the Islamic Republic against Israel and U.S. bases. Trump warned the Iranian regime to abandon these plans, threatening a significant retaliatory strike.
On March 6, Trump called for a complete change in Iran’s leadership, stating he had several candidates in mind for a “good leader.” By March 8, Iran’s Assembly of Experts elected Mojtaba Khamenei, the son of the deceased Supreme Leader, as the third Supreme Leader of the Islamic Republic.
On March 26, Trump announced a pause in the destruction of Iranian energy facilities until April 6. However, due to a lack of progress on the agreement, he extended the deadline by 20 hours to the evening of April 7. He threatened to destroy all bridges and power plants in Iran, warning of severe repercussions for the Iranian people and potential regional instability.
On April 6, Iran presented a ten-point plan to the U.S. and Israel for ending the conflict via Pakistan. The following day, Trump agreed to delay airstrikes on Iran for two weeks, contingent upon the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz, stating that a ceasefire would be mutual and that Iran’s ten-point proposal was an acceptable basis for negotiations.
Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi indicated that safe passage through the Strait of Hormuz within two weeks was possible, provided there was coordination with Iran’s armed forces and consideration of technical limitations. By May 1, Trump informed Congress that the military actions initiated on February 28 had ceased, although U.S. troops would remain in the region.
On May 23, Trump disclosed that he had engaged in discussions with leaders from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Qatar, Pakistan, Turkey, Egypt, Jordan, and Bahrain regarding the peace memorandum with Iran. He noted that the parties had largely agreed on an arrangement that included the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz.
On June 14, Trump announced the completion of the agreement with Iran, directing the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz and the lifting of the naval blockade. Pakistani Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif also confirmed the achievement of a peace agreement, with a signing ceremony scheduled for June 19 in Switzerland.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu addressed the U.S.-Iran memorandum, highlighting differences with President Trump while asserting Israel's security stance. Amid ongoing military operations and geopolitical tensions, both nations are navigating a complex landscape as negotiations unfold.