Netanyahu Says Israel Will Act Independently On Iran Despite Trump-Tehran Deal

Last Updated:June 16, 2026, 00:09 IST

Netanyahu stressed that Israel would maintain freedom of action against any future Iranian nuclear threat.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu struck a cautious tone following the announcement of a landmark agreement between the United States and Iran, emphasising that Israel would continue to safeguard its own security interests and prevent Tehran from acquiring nuclear weapons regardless of diplomatic developments.

Speaking hours after US President Donald Trump announced a memorandum of understanding with Iran aimed at ending the conflict and reopening the Strait of Hormuz, Netanyahu said he was not fully aware of the details of the agreement reached between Washington and Tehran.

“I am not sure of the details of the agreement between Washington and Tehran," Netanyahu said, adding, “The agreement with Iran was concluded by Trump, and this is his decision, and we have our own interests."

While avoiding direct criticism of the US president, Netanyahu stressed that Israel would maintain freedom of action against any future Iranian nuclear threat.

“Iran will not obtain a nuclear weapon, and I will not tie my own hands in order to achieve this goal," he said. The Israeli leader argued that recent Israeli military operations had fundamentally altered the strategic balance in the region and prevented Iran from reaching nuclear weapons capability.

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“The Iranian regime was heading toward acquiring a nuclear weapon, and we were able to destroy its missile and nuclear programs," Netanyahu claimed. He added that had Israel not acted when it did, “Iran would have obtained a nuclear bomb."

Netanyahu also highlighted what he described as a series of major military achievements across multiple fronts since the outbreak of regional hostilities. He said Israel had “killed Iran’s leaders and inflicted severe damage on its security apparatus," while also claiming that Israeli actions had eliminated the nuclear threat posed by Tehran.

“We have averted the danger of Israel’s destruction and its people, and we have saved it from ruin," he said, adding that Israel’s struggle for security “has not yet ended."

The Israeli leader stressed that despite close cooperation with Washington, differences occasionally emerged between him and Trump.

“There are disagreements between me and Trump sometimes," Netanyahu acknowledged, while insisting that Israel would continue to prioritize its own security requirements in its relationship with the United States.

The comments come as attention turns to the details of the US-Iran memorandum, which Trump said would be released in the coming days. Iranian officials have indicated that broader negotiations covering sanctions relief and the future of Tehran’s nuclear programme are expected to continue during a proposed 60-day ceasefire period.

Netanyahu, however, signaled that Israel remains prepared to act independently if it believes Iran is once again moving toward a nuclear weapons capability, regardless of the diplomatic track pursued by Washington.

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