U.S. Strikes Iranian Missile Launch Sites and Boats as Tehran Threatens Retaliation

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is set to meet his security cabinet for the first time since reports surfaced of a developing United States-Iran agreement, a prospect that has triggered concern and criticism inside Israel. According to Israeli officials speaking privately, the emerging deal is being viewed as a “bad idea” because it appears to leave key Israeli concerns unresolved, especially Iran’s nuclear program and its stockpile of enriched uranium.

Netanyahu has not publicly attacked US President Donald Trump over the negotiations, but two Israeli sources told CNN that in private he has acknowledged having limited influence over Washington’s decisions and the direction of the talks with Iran. The gap between public restraint and private frustration reflects the sensitivity of Israel’s position, as officials worry the agreement could constrain Israeli options while failing to curb what they see as Iran’s strategic threats.

The dispute is unfolding alongside rising tension on Israel’s northern border. Israeli officials say Iran is seeking to strengthen a ceasefire arrangement in Lebanon, while Hezbollah has intensified daily drone and UAV attacks on Israeli soldiers and communities near the border. That escalation has increased pressure on Netanyahu from both the political opposition and members of his own coalition.

Gadi Eisenkot, a former IDF chief of staff who now leads a party positioning itself to challenge Netanyahu after the next election, sharply criticized the situation. He described it as a forced ceasefire reached on unfavorable terms for Israel, warning that it puts residents of the north and IDF troops at risk. His comments added to the sense that Netanyahu is facing growing domestic unease over the government’s response to the regional crisis.

At the same time, Netanyahu’s far-right coalition partners are calling for a harder military line. National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir urged Netanyahu to confront Trump directly and make clear that Israel cannot accept the developing arrangement. Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich argued that a strategic threat cannot be met with defense alone, but requires changing the rules on the ground. In a particularly harsh remark, Smotrich said that for every explosive drone launched, multiple buildings in Beirut should be destroyed, underscoring the intensity of pressure within the governing coalition.

Netanyahu responded Monday with a video statement in which he said the Israeli military would intensify its strikes in Lebanon after a day of heavy drone fire by Hezbollah. He said Israel must increase the blows and raise the intensity, promising a decisive response. The statement reflects the government’s effort to project strength even as it navigates difficult strategic, diplomatic, and political constraints.

The situation places Netanyahu between competing pressures: a possible US-led diplomatic track with Iran, escalating attacks from Hezbollah, and demands from Israeli hawks for a more aggressive military campaign.