U.S. intelligence officials have warned President Donald Trump's administration that actions by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu could complicate ongoing efforts to secure a long-term diplomatic understanding with Iran, according to a report released Friday.
Citing current and former U.S. officials familiar with intelligence assessments, The Washington Post reported that Israel appears determined to continue military operations against Hezbollah in Lebanon despite provisions in the recently signed U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding calling for an end to military operations on all fronts, including Lebanon.
Even short of escalation, Israel's refusal to withdraw troops from southern Lebanon is likely to doom the fragile accord, a U.S. official told the Post.
"Continuing to occupy part of Lebanon is a recipe for disaster," the official said. "Without a full Israeli withdrawal, the likelihood of resumed hostilities between the (Israeli military) and Hezbollah is all but certain."
Vice President JD Vance on Thursday warned Israel against alienating its "only powerful ally," saying Trump "is the only head of state in the entire world who is sympathetic to the nation of Israel at this moment in time."
