US-Iran deal leaves Israel isolated and Netanyahu exposed
Israelis are viewing the emerging US-Iran deal as more than just a diplomatic breakthrough between Washington and Tehran.
For many in the country's political and military elite, the agreement to end the war represents a strategic turning point that could weaken Israel's regional influence, strain its most important alliance and accelerate the political decline of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Although an agreement between the US and Iran had been widely anticipated since April, Pakistan's announcement on Sunday that a deal had been reached sent shockwaves through the country.
There's still a lot of questions about the terms of the agreement that are yet to be answered, but Israel's political and military establishment did not expect the joint US-Israeli campaign against Iran to end this way.
When Netanyahu initiated the war against Iran on 28 February, Israel's objectives appeared clear: dismantling Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile programmes and bringing about the collapse of the Iranian government.
Almost four months later, none of those goals has been achieved. Instead, Iran appears to be in a stronger position than it was in February.
The country still retains its nuclear and ballistic missile programmes, while its leadership appears to have emerged strengthened despite the blows Israel inflicted, including the assassination of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
: US-Iran deal leaves Israel isolated and Netanyahu exposed
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu leaves the podium after addressing world leaders at the UN General Assembly on 22 September 2023 (Spencer Platt/Getty Images via AFP)
