Reuters: Israel is being sidelined, Netanyahu admits difficulty influencing Trump on Iran

May 25 (Reuters) – Citing multiple Israeli officials, Reuters reports that as the U.S. leads efforts to broker a ceasefire and nuclear deal with Iran, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has privately told close associates that Israel currently has "virtually no room to influence Trump’s decisions" – a sign the country is being sidelined from core negotiations. Current U.S.-Iran talks are centered on a preliminary memorandum of understanding. Possible terms include Iran reopening the Strait of Hormuz in return for the U.S. lifting its maritime blockade and resuming full nuclear negotiations. Sources say Iran is also considering addressing its stockpile of highly enriched uranium under U.N. supervision. But Israel is wary of the potential deal. Netanyahu has expressed concern that the agreement would not do enough to rein in Iran’s nuclear program and its stockpile of nuclear materials. He is also insisting on retaining the Israeli military’s right to maintain operations across multiple fronts, including in Lebanon. Sources add that Trump has spoken with Netanyahu at least three times over the past week. Though U.S.-Israel coordination remains intact, the two allies are growing strategically apart. The U.S. is currently pushing hard to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and secure a regional ceasefire, while Israel’s priorities include the full dismantling of Iran’s nuclear enrichment facilities, strict limits on its missile program, and rolling back its regional proxy network. The report also points out that the talks are unfolding as Netanyahu faces mounting domestic political pressure and election hurdles. The opposition has slammed him for failing to deliver on his prior goals of regime change in Iran and eliminating the country’s nuclear capabilities.