Israel Sidelined as Trump Pushes Iran Deal With Arab States

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By TRH World Desk

Netanyahu is trying to block a Trump–Iran deal behind the scenes — but Israel has been largely cut out of talks backed by Arab states. Former Israeli intel official: “If Trump decides to make a deal, this is it.”

Washington, May 26, 2026 — US President Donald Trump has looped Arab States as the final negotiations unfold with Iran, leaving Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sidelined. With Iran showing flexibility, Trump is firmly per sources working with the Arab States.

Trump in a latest post stated that Iran will either have to hand over the enriched uranium to the US or destroy them under the watch of the International Atomic Agency. This has been the key concern of the Arab state and Israel. With nuclear issue taken care of, Trump wants a larger Abraham Accords, an umbrella under which all Muslim nations and Israel will sit across a table.

Saudi Arabia and Qatar are learnt to have set a pre-condition — they can join the Abraham Accords if the process of setting up an independent Palestinian state is irreversible. Under the UN resolution, a two-state formulation had long been put forth.

Sources close to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, said CBS Evening News in a report, say Israel is not in a position to influence Trump’s decision-making on Iran, as he negotiates a potential agreement backed by several Muslim and Arab states. Despite the war beginning with joint US–Israeli strikes, Israeli officials have largely been left out of the talks, added the broadcaster.

Former head of the Iran branch of Israeli military intelligence, Dennis Citrin Lowitz, told CBS: “Netanyahu is working very hard behind the scenes to prevent a deal. But if Trump decides to reach a deal, this is it.” He added that the war has exposed Israel’s deep dependency on the United States for any future military action against Iran.

The situation is further complicated by Lebanon, where Israel has continued carrying out strikes despite an existing ceasefire, including new strikes reported today. Tehran has insisted that Israel’s conflict with its proxy Hezbollah — which has resulted in at least 3,100 deaths, including 210 children — must be resolved as part of any nuclear agreement.

Netanyahu, however, posted online that Trump has reaffirmed Israel’s right to defend itself against threats on every front, including Lebanon.