Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is organizing a restricted security cabinet session for Sunday night to address a developing agreement between the United States and Iran, as Israeli leadership expresses worries about specific terms in the proposed memorandum of understanding that could halt hostilities with Hezbollah and postpone comprehensive nuclear discussions.
A representative for one of the ministers scheduled to attend the session confirmed the meeting to The Times of Israel, noting that a specific time has not been established.
Based on reports from Kan, Netanyahu has expressed worry about at least two components of the proposed deal: a mandate to cease military actions against Lebanon and the deferral of meaningful talks about Iran’s nuclear program to a later phase of negotiations.
The memorandum of understanding being considered would extend the ceasefire for 60 days and mandate that Iran reopen the Strait of Hormuz, while the United States would terminate its naval blockade. Throughout the 60-day timeframe, the US would consider removing sanctions against Iran, while American forces would stay in the area until negotiations are completed.
Hostilities between Israel and Hezbollah would cease under the agreement, though Israel would maintain the capability to respond with military force if Hezbollah initiates attacks.
Israel was excluded from Saturday’s “phone summit” that included the United States and leaders from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Egypt, Jordan, and Turkey discussing the revised memorandum of understanding. Reuters indicated that Pakistan also joined the call.
Israeli broadcaster N12 stated that Netanyahu considers the proposal potentially detrimental to Israel. An Israeli official mentioned in the coverage said US special envoy Steve Witkoff strongly backed the agreement and “wants a deal at almost any price, and is placing immense pressure on Trump not to resume the war.”
Two American officials informed The New York Times that Iran had consented as part of the developing arrangement to surrender its stockpile of highly enriched uranium.
The coverage indicated that the proposal does not detail how Tehran would give up the material, and talks on implementation were delayed to the subsequent round of nuclear negotiations.
The coverage stated that Iran initially opposed including uranium provisions in the first stage of the agreement, but American officials communicated through intermediaries that military operations would continue without such an understanding.
