US President Donald Trump has said the newly-signed peace agreement between Washington and Tehran removes what he described as the biggest threat facing Israel, arguing that the deal prevents Iran from becoming a nuclear danger to the Jewish state.
Speaking to reporters in Évian-les-Bains, France, during the G7 summit, Trump revealed that he had spoken with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu before signing the agreement.
“Look, think of what Israel is getting. They’re not going to be nuked," the US President told reporters.
Message to Netanyahu
Trump said he reminded Netanyahu that Israel's primary concern had always been the possibility of an Iranian nuclear attack.
“It’s very simple. I told Bibi, “Bibi, your biggest risk was that they’d drop a nuclear weapon into the middle of Israel. They’d only need one, and there would be no more Israel," the US President said, with US Secretary of State Marco Rubio standing beside him.
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Emphasising what he viewed as the agreement's most important outcome, Trump added, “Think of it, Bibi. You got the best, the most important thing that you were asking for is that," while claiming that Israel was “very happy" with the deal.
Trump on Netanyahu:
— Adam Scott (@chefcascottccc) June 17, 2026
Bibi Netanyahu is a good man. He gets a little excited sometimes, but he happens to be a very good man.
We had a little dispute over Lebanon — I say, you can do a little softer touch, Bibi, you don’t have to knock down a building every time somebody walks… https://t.co/GguNrfz7lE pic.twitter.com/lF3eVoNi6o
Concerns over Lebanon remain
Trump also renewed his criticism of Israel's military operations in Lebanon and suggested that Netanyahu should show greater restraint.
“Without the United States, there would be no Israel. Without me, there would be no Israel because no other president was willing to do what I did," the US President said at the G7 summit, per a report by Hindustan Times.
The remarks came as questions continued over Israel's campaign against Hezbollah and its military presence in Lebanon.
What the agreement includes
According to reports, the memorandum of understanding signed by the United States and Iran is designed to reduce tensions in West Asia and open a 60-day negotiating window focused on Iran's nuclear programme.
The framework includes provisions under which Iran would dilute its stockpile of highly enriched uranium, while sanctions backed by the United States would be lifted. The agreement also addresses Lebanon's territorial integrity, an issue that remains contentious between the parties.
Criticism from Israel
Netanyahu has rejected suggestions that Israel would end its military operations in Lebanon.
“As long as I am the prime minister of Israel, it will not happen," he said earlier this week, insisting that any Israeli withdrawal was not part of the US-Iran agreement.
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The deal has also faced criticism from within Israel. Former prime minister Ehud Barak accused Netanyahu of mishandling relations with Washington.
“Israel is paying the price of Netanyahu’s hubris and blindness, and the price of the manipulations that he tried to pull on Trump," Barak said in an interview cited by the Associated Press.
FAQs:
What did Trump tell Netanyahu about the Iran deal?
Trump said the agreement removes what he described as Israel's biggest security risk.
Why is Lebanon part of the discussion around the deal?
The agreement includes provisions linked to Lebanon's territorial integrity and ongoing regional tensions.
