Israel’s Hidden Agenda? How Netanyahu is Sabotaging Iran Nuclear Talks
The fragile negotiations between Iran and the United States over Tehran’s nuclear program face yet another hurdle — alleged Israeli interference. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesman Esmail Baqaei openly accused Israel of leading a coalition aimed at “undermining and disrupting the diplomatic process.” This accusation comes amid reports that former U.S. President Donald Trump once dissuaded Israel from launching military strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities. The timing of these revelations raises questions about whether Israel is still pushing for a more aggressive approach behind the scenes.
Israel has long positioned itself as Iran’s most vocal adversary, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu repeatedly vowing to prevent Tehran from obtaining nuclear weapons “at any cost.” But Iran insists its nuclear ambitions are purely peaceful, a claim dismissed by Western powers and Israel. The Jewish state, widely believed to possess its own undeclared nuclear arsenal, views a nuclear-capable Iran as an existential threat. Yet critics argue that Netanyahu’s hardline stance risks escalating tensions rather than fostering stability, especially as diplomatic efforts struggle to regain momentum.
The New York Times recently reported that Trump had to personally intervene to stop Israel from attacking Iran’s nuclear sites — a move that could have triggered a full-blown regional war. This revelation underscores Israel’s willingness to take drastic measures, even if it means sidelining diplomacy. Baqaei’s remarks also implicate “warmongering currents” in the U.S., suggesting that hawkish factions in Washington may be aligning with Israel to sabotage negotiations. If true, this could explain why talks remain deadlocked despite both sides expressing cautious optimism.
Since the U.S. unilaterally withdrew from the 2015 nuclear deal (JCPOA) under Trump, Iran has incrementally breached the agreement’s terms, enriching uranium to 60% purity — just shy of weapons-grade levels. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has repeatedly warned about Iran’s growing stockpiles, yet Tehran maintains that its actions are reversible if sanctions are lifted. The question now is whether Israel’s alleged meddling will push Iran toward further escalation, making a diplomatic solution even harder to achieve.
With a third round of U.S.-Iran talks mediated by Oman on the horizon, the shadow of Israeli opposition looms large. Netanyahu’s government has little incentive to see sanctions lifted on Iran, as it would bolster Tehran’s regional influence. Meanwhile, hardliners in both Washington and Tehran could use Israel’s alleged sabotage as justification to abandon diplomacy altogether. The stakes couldn’t be higher: another failed negotiation could set the stage for military confrontation, with catastrophic consequences for the Middle East.
Will diplomacy prevail, or will Israel’s covert campaign push the region toward war? As tensions simmer, the world watches to see whether cooler heads can navigate this geopolitical minefield — or if outside interference will doom the talks before they even reach a breakthrough.
