Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir has issued Israel’s first public response to the newly announced US-Iran agreement, making it clear that Jerusalem does not consider itself bound by any deal negotiated between Washington and Tehran.
Reacting to the breakthrough announced by US President Donald Trump, Ben-Gvir declared that Israel would continue to chart its own security course regardless of international understandings.
“Trump’s agreement does not bind us. Israel is not subordinate to the United States. We are an independent and sovereign nation,” Ben-Gvir wrote in a strongly worded post on X.
His remarks came after the United States and Iran reached a preliminary agreement aimed at reopening the strategically vital Strait of Hormuz and extending a fragile ceasefire that has temporarily halted hostilities across multiple fronts. The accord is expected to be formally signed in Switzerland on June 19.
While expressing gratitude towards Washington and Trump, the Israeli minister insisted that no foreign power could dictate Israel’s security decisions.
“We love the United States and appreciate President Trump, but Israel is not a banana republic,” he said.
Ben-Gvir argued that Israel’s past willingness to accommodate international pressure had repeatedly come at a heavy cost. Pointing to the Oslo Accords, the 2006 Lebanon ceasefire and previous Gaza arrangements, he claimed that concessions made in the name of diplomacy ultimately undermined Israeli security.
“Every time we gave in to international pressure at the expense of our security, we paid a blood price,” he stated.
The minister’s comments underscore growing uncertainty over how the US-Iran understanding will affect Israel, particularly on the Lebanese front. Pakistan, which helped mediate the talks, said the agreement includes an immediate halt to military operations across all fronts, including Lebanon. However, it remains unclear whether Israel has accepted any such restrictions.
Ben-Gvir signalled outright opposition to any arrangement that could limit Israeli military action against Hezbollah.
“My position is unequivocal. We are not party to an agreement that does not guarantee our security, and it does not obligate us in any way,” he said.
Calling for the complete dismantling of Hezbollah, he argued that Israel should not withdraw from territories captured during recent operations or allow militant groups to re-establish positions near northern Israeli communities.
He further warned that any future drone, missile or UAV launch from Lebanon should trigger immediate Israeli retaliation.
“Every attack from Lebanon must be met with a strike on Dahiya,” he said, referring to Hezbollah’s stronghold in southern Beirut. “That deterrence existed only months ago, and we cannot afford to abandon it.”
The US-Iran accord remains subject to formal ratification. According to reports, Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister Kazem Gharibabadi has confirmed the agreement but said its provisions will only take effect once the final document is signed.
The deal would reopen the Strait of Hormuz, ease maritime tensions by lifting the US naval blockade imposed during the conflict, and establish a 60-day negotiating window to address Iran’s highly enriched uranium stockpile and the future of its nuclear programme.
However, key differences remain unresolved. Tehran continues to insist on retaining its enriched uranium reserves, while Washington is reportedly pushing for their removal as part of a broader settlement, leaving major hurdles still to be overcome despite the diplomatic breakthrough.
