As Lebanon tests US-Iran deal, Trump must rein in Netanyahu, analysts say

Key Points:

• The Trump administration is expressing genuine frustration with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s ongoing military campaign in Lebanon, which continues despite a US-Iran memorandum of understanding (MoU) calling for a permanent ceasefire on all fronts including Lebanon.
• Israel has maintained its military strikes in Lebanon, controlling nearly 20% of the country, which has delayed US-Iran ceasefire negotiations and drawn criticism from the US, which urges a complete ceasefire including Lebanon, Hezbollah, and Israel.
• Iran insists that the ceasefire deal cannot be finalized while Lebanon remains under attack, linking the conflict there to its broader confrontation with the US and Israel, and has warned Israel of harsh responses if attacks continue.
• US officials, including Vice President JD Vance, have publicly criticized Israel’s actions in Lebanon, signaling a shift in US-Israel relations and indicating that Washington may use its leverage to pressure Netanyahu to respect the peace process.
• Analysts see the increased US criticism as part of Trump’s effort to protect his legacy with the Iran deal, highlighting Netanyahu as a key source of instability in the Middle East and questioning whether the US will now apply real pressure on Israel to adhere to the ceasefire.