Middle East Focus Bibi's Hail Mary on Iran
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Feb 19, 2026 Natan Sachs, Senior Fellow at the Middle East Institute who studies Israeli foreign and domestic politics, breaks down Netanyahu's urgent trip to Washington. He talks about Israel's fears of a U.S.-Iran deal, the personal and policy ties with the U.S. president, and how domestic politics and election timing shape Israeli moves. He also covers worries about negotiations that ignore missiles, proxies, and postwar reconstruction.
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Netanyahu Went To Stop A Deal That Could Save Iran
- Netanyahu's Washington trip was overwhelmingly about Iran, aiming to prevent a deal Israel considers a bad lifeline for Tehran.
- He wanted to shape any U.S.-Iran agreement to include ballistic missiles and regional activities beyond just the nuclear file.
Close Personal Chemistry But Real Policy Differences
- The Netanyahu–Trump closeness is built on shared iconoclasm and Trump's willingness to break norms, but substantive differences remain on means and priorities.
- Netanyahu values Trump's disruptive leverage (e.g., Jerusalem recognition) while still facing pressure from Trump when interests diverge.
Why Israel Fears A Nuclear-Only Deal
- Israel's core worry about U.S.-Iran talks is that focusing solely on nuclear limits leaves ballistic missiles and regional proxies untouched.
- Israelis fear both cheating and non-cheating outcomes: cheating hides progress; compliance with sunsets lets Iran get closer faster later.