• Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is in talks with U.S. officials to clarify the scope of ongoing U.S.-Iran negotiations, fearing potential concessions that could limit Israel's freedom of action.
  • Israel insists that any deal must address Iran's ballistic missile program and support for proxy forces, not just nuclear issues.
  • Tensions between Washington and Jerusalem are rising as the U.S. seeks to revive diplomacy with Iran, leaving Israel wary of a framework that could ease pressure on Tehran.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been in direct discussions with U.S. officials to seek clarity on the latest round of U.S.-Iran negotiations, according to people familiar with the matter. The Israeli leader's office signaled that Jerusalem is concerned Washington may make concessions that could undermine Israel's security, particularly by limiting its operational freedom or easing sanctions relief conditionality.

Netanyahu's team has emphasized that any agreement must include restrictions on Iran's ballistic missile program and a halt to its support for proxy forces across the region, not just nuclear-related commitments. This stance reflects a broader Israeli push to ensure that the talks cover what Israel terms the "Iranian axis," rather than focusing narrowly on atomic activities.

The diplomatic friction comes amid heightened regional tension, with Israel and Iran engaged in a cycle of escalation. Israeli officials fear that a U.S.-led framework might leave Israel exposed, especially if sanctions relief is granted without adequate oversight on Iran's non-nuclear capabilities.

"Israel wants to make sure that any deal doesn't repeat past mistakes," said an Israeli official, speaking on condition of anonymity. "We need clear guarantees on missiles and proxies."

The U.S. has not publicly detailed the scope of its negotiations, but separate reports indicate that Iran is demanding a clear timetable for sanctions relief in exchange for nuclear concessions. This divide echoes earlier phases of U.S.-Iran diplomacy, where disagreements over sequencing and scope repeatedly strained U.S.-Israel alignment.

Efforts to reach a compromise are ongoing. Calls to the White House and the Israeli prime minister's office for comment were not immediately returned.

Clarification: This article was updated to reflect that Netanyahu's discussions with U.S. officials are ongoing.