Lapid Warns Trump’s Emerging Iran Deal Is ‘Bad for the Region’
Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid has sharply criticized the emerging U.S.-Iran agreement being discussed by President Donald Trump’s administration, warning that the proposed deal could threaten Israel’s security and destabilize the Middle East.
Speaking in Jerusalem on Monday, Lapid said the agreement under discussion “fails to achieve Israel’s goals” and described the developing framework as dangerous for both the region and the Iranian people.
“The deal is bad for Israel, bad for the region, bad for the citizens of Iran,” Lapid told reporters during a press briefing.
According to regional officials and multiple international reports, the emerging agreement could involve Iran giving up part of its highly enriched uranium stockpile and reopening the Strait of Hormuz in exchange for sanctions relief and the lifting of certain U.S. restrictions on Iranian trade routes. However, key concerns surrounding Iran’s ballistic missile program and support for regional armed groups reportedly remain unresolved.
Lapid also accused Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of losing influence in Washington and allowing negotiations to proceed without strong Israeli coordination.
“The Israeli government is at an all-time low in its ability to influence decisions in Washington,” Lapid said while stressing that Israel must maintain independent security authority.
The criticism comes as President Trump continues pushing for a broader Middle East diplomatic framework tied to the Abraham Accords, while simultaneously seeking a de-escalation agreement with Tehran.
Inside Israel, the issue has intensified political divisions ahead of possible elections, with Lapid and former Prime Minister Naftali Bennett attempting to build a united opposition bloc against Netanyahu’s coalition government.
Iranian officials, meanwhile, have denied that a final agreement with Washington is imminent, saying negotiations remain complicated and unresolved.