Israel is increasingly concerned that the Trump administration's diplomatic outreach to Iran could strengthen Tehran's influence in Lebanon and limit Israel's ability to confront Hezbollah, according to a report from Axios.
The concerns center on a memorandum of understanding signed last week between the United States and Iran, as well as new agreements reached during negotiations in Switzerland aimed at reducing tensions across the Middle East.
According to Axios, Israeli officials fear the arrangements could undermine years of joint U.S.-Israeli efforts to weaken Hezbollah, the Iranian-backed terrorist organization that has long threatened Israel's northern border.
One major point of contention is a new U.S.-Iran-backed "deconfliction mechanism" involving Lebanon and international mediators. Israeli officials reportedly worry the arrangement gives Iran a formal role in discussions about Lebanon while limiting Israel's operational freedom.
The development comes as the Trump administration pursues a broader diplomatic effort with Tehran following a ceasefire that ended the recent conflict between Iran, Israel, and the United States.
Under the new understandings, the U.S., Iran, and their allies have committed to ending hostilities, including in Lebanon.
The agreement also emphasizes Lebanon's sovereignty and territorial integrity, issues that have been complicated by Israel's military presence in parts of southern Lebanon.
Israeli officials argue the new framework differs significantly from a 2024 ceasefire agreement brokered by the Biden administration.
Under that arrangement, Israel maintained broader authority to act against both imminent and emerging Hezbollah threats. Under the current structure, Israeli officials fear that freedom of action could be narrowed.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reportedly made the Lebanon issue a top priority in discussions with Washington.
Axios reported that Netanyahu enlisted close confidant Ron Dermer to communicate Israeli concerns directly to senior members of President Donald Trump's team.
Some Republican allies of Israel have also expressed concern. Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C., warned that excluding Israel from the new deconfliction mechanism could prove problematic.
"The deconfliction mechanism in Lebanon envisioned by the Trump administration doesn't include Israel and, in my view, is a major misstep," Graham told Axios.
The Trump administration, however, insists Israel's concerns are overstated. A senior U.S. official told Axios that because Washington remains closely coordinated with Jerusalem, Israel effectively remains part of the process.
Administration officials also argue the arrangement could help reduce violence and create conditions for future negotiations between Israel and Lebanon.
Secretary of State Marco Rubio is overseeing efforts to advance direct talks between the two countries, including discussions about a gradual Israeli withdrawal from parts of southern Lebanon in exchange for stronger Lebanese Army deployments.
Despite the diplomatic push, analysts and regional officials caution that any lasting agreement — particularly one that results in Hezbollah disarming — remains a distant goal.