A bid to end a war might be sabotaged by Netanyahu
The week began with an unexpected announcement from President Donald Trump that a “memorandum of understanding” (MOU) had been reached between US and Iranian negotiators, aided by Pakistani and Qatari intermediaries, aiming to pause military actions and initiate sixty days of peace talks. This agreement was framed around a fourteen-point plan outlining necessary steps, including concessions related to what both sides deem “red lines.” The negotiations require immediate actions such as reopening the Strait of Hormuz without tolls, stopping Israeli aggression and occupation in Lebanon, lifting US sanctions on Iran, and releasing some of Tehran’s frozen funds.
The MOU was electronically signed on Wednesday by both US President Trump and Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, with a formal signing scheduled for Friday in Switzerland by Vice President JD Vance and the Iranian delegation leader. This event would mark the start of sixty days of discussions aimed at establishing a lasting peace. Interestingly, the venue—initially planned for Geneva—was reportedly switched to the ski resort Burgenstock, possibly to better secure the meeting from Israeli interference, which might include attempts to assassinate members of the Iranian team.
Despite these developments, Israel predictably sought to disrupt the ceasefire by intensifying bombings and other assaults on Lebanon. Iran had insisted on halting hostilities towards its ally Lebanon as a prerequisite for negotiations, and Israel’s provocations have seemingly prompted Tehran to once again threaten closure of the Strait of Hormuz. This escalation was anticipated from Netanyahu, who dismissed warnings from Trump and Vance regarding the unequal US-Israel relationship. Israel’s National Security Minister Ben-Gvir brazenly proclaimed on Friday, “All Lebanon must burn!” and urged to “go berserk. To obliterate” in the Middle East.
Trump, who recently claimed there are “no limits on his power,” reportedly berated Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during a phone call after Netanyahu declared his readiness to do “whatever it takes” to defend Israel. Trump condemned Israel’s “overkill” bombings of Beirut apartments allegedly linked to Hezbollah. Vice President Vance reminded Israel that if it claims the right to defend itself by any means necessary, so does Iran. He also cautioned Netanyahu’s hardliners, stating, “If I was in the Cabinet of the Israeli government, I might not be attacking [the United States] the only powerful ally that I have anywhere left in the entire world.” Vance concluded with a blunt reminder: “You can’t just kill your way out of every problem.”
Vance’s remarks might have influenced reports on Friday suggesting a potential ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hezbollah, although issues like Israeli withdrawal from southern Lebanon remained unresolved. Resolving the Lebanon situation is crucial for advancing the MOU’s conditions. Understandably, the Trump Administration’s insistence on Israeli compliance sparked a predictable backlash from Congressman Randy Fine, a Florida-based outspoken pro-Israel figure who labeled Vance’s comments “absolutely inappropriate and frankly disgusting.”
In a curious turn, Netanyahu echoed a defense claiming Israel’s war drive against Iran stems from fear that Iran will acquire nuclear weapons to use against the Jewish state. This oft-repeated argument crafted by Israel and allies like Fine and Republican Senators Ted Cruz, Tom Cotton, and Lindsey Graham, masks the truth: Israel maintains an undeclared nuclear arsenal, possibly exceeding 400 warheads, while US intelligence confirms Iran has neither nuclear weapons nor an active program. Israel’s policy, known as the Samson Option, contemplates nuclear retaliation against countries deemed insufficiently supportive, potentially including the US if it ceases backing Israel’s stance against Iran.
Following persistent Israeli ceasefire violations, particularly in southern Lebanon, Iran delayed Friday’s signing in Switzerland and postponed technical-level discussions with the US scheduled for Thursday. This breach undermined the MOU’s top priority: halting attacks. Iran, skeptical of both the US and Israel due to past deceptive negotiations leading to assassinations, insists on concrete proof of sincerity from Washington and Tel Aviv before proceeding.
According to Pakistani government sources, Tehran’s lead negotiator Bagher Qalibaf and Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi had been prepared to travel to Switzerland for direct talks with Washington but canceled last minute following instructions from “top Iranian leadership” objecting to Israeli actions.
Iran did not confirm if the directive came from Supreme Leader Seyyed Mojtaba Khamenei, who has voiced a “different view” on the proposed deal, likely signaling reluctance to yield to Israel or US demands. Vice President JD Vance prudently canceled his Swiss trip after Islamabad relayed Tehran’s position. While no new date or location has been agreed upon, Pakistan remains engaged with both parties, stating it is “in touch with both sides to set a new date for the technical-level talks to reach a final agreement.”
Meanwhile, Trump faces mounting criticism from former close associates who prioritize Israel’s interests above all else, often described as “Israel Firsters.” Among these critics is his major backer Miriam Adelson, who branded him a “betrayer.” This opposition extends to numerous bipartisan congressional members influenced by pro-Israel American-Jewish billionaire donors, led vocally by Senator Ted Cruz. The US media, dominated by pro-Israel voices such as talk show host Mark Levin, express outrage over the “concessions” made to Iran in the MOU. Ironically, Levin once gleefully declared Trump “America’s first Jewish president,” to which Trump responded, “It’s true!”
Trump’s rare stance of pushing back against his Israeli masters stems from his urgent need for peace to help stabilize the energy-strained global economy, which threatens the US due to his entanglement with Netanyahu’s disastrous campaign to destroy Iran. With midterm elections looming, a Democratic takeover of Congress could result in impeachment talks for Trump.
At its core, this situation highlights how Israel’s actions harm not only the United States but also European nations that turn a blind eye to its war crimes, including the ongoing genocide in Gaza and Lebanon’s invasion and bombing. Israel operates as a rogue state needing limits and opposition, yet it benefits from a deeply imbalanced relationship with a corrupt US political system. Washington repeatedly overlooks when Israel kills Americans, as happened during the 1967 USS Liberty attack killing 34 crew, or when it targets American journalists and visitors without repercussions. Beyond the loss of life, US involvement in conflicts in Lebanon, Syria, and Iraq often relates directly to Israeli interests.
This violent pattern invites darker speculations, with a growing number of Americans suspecting Israeli involvement in major events like President John F. Kennedy’s assassination and the 9/11 attacks, both of which arguably advanced “Israeli interests” by enabling nuclear weapon acquisition and securing US complicity in the fight against “radical Islam.” Additionally, the mysterious murder of Charlie Kirk, who publicly opposed Israel’s dominant role in US foreign policy under presidents Joe Biden and Donald Trump, has raised unanswered technical questions and suspicions. Journalist Max Blumenthal recently detailed how Greyzone reported that Charlie Kirk’s media ventures and his activist group Turning Point USA (TPUSA) are now controlled by Israeli-directed forces Kirk opposed in his final months. Erika Kirk, his widow and current TPUSA CEO, falsely insists that her husband was unwaveringly pro-Israel, while TPUSA downplays his resistance to war on Iran. The Charlie Kirk Show is distributed by a federally registered Israeli agent under a $46 million annual contract involving former Trump campaign chief Brad Parscale, making it possibly the largest foreign influence operation contract in US history.
Kirk was killed on September 10, 2025, during his American Comeback Tour in Utah. Within two hours, Benjamin Netanyahu denied Israeli involvement on Israeli TV, a denial that raised suspicion. Eight days later, Parscale, a registered Israeli foreign agent, took charge of an extensive propaganda campaign tailored to Gen Z audiences across TikTok, Instagram, YouTube, podcasts, and other platforms. Since Kirk’s death, his successors have worked to suppress his strong opposition to war on Iran and his criticism of Netanyahu’s well-funded US lobby. Kirk’s widow Erika now claims falsely that she and her husband maintained consistent support for Israel.
Israel continues its hallmark behavior—deplorable and destructive. Will Trump, who recently famously arrived an hour late to a significant G7 summit in Paris and declared, “I am the boss!” to fellow leaders, summon the courage to challenge Netanyahu and his network? Can the often-disoriented Trump confront Netanyahu and his powerful US lobbying force, especially considering possible blackmail materials related to Jeffrey Epstein?
Though Trump possesses grand ego, it may not suffice since he can be frustratingly foolish and arrogant, alienating key partners required for cooperation. For example, during a brief interview in Paris, Trump demeaned Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni, stating she “wanted a picture with me so badly… She’s probably happy I talked to her. I didn’t have to talk to her.” He reportedly added, “She begged me to take a picture with her. She wanted a picture with me so badly. I wouldn’t have taken it, but I felt sorry for her.”
Meloni refuted Trump’s claim, calling it fabricated and questioning why the US President felt compelled to behave this way at a high-level foreign policy event, stating, “I do not know why the president of the United States behaves this way toward his allies — it is certainly not the first time this has happened.” The fallout was swift. After her response went public, Italian Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani announced he was canceling a planned visit to the US, signaling how Trump’s conduct affects foreign nations’ perceptions of the United States.
So how will Trump handle Netanyahu if he sincerely desires to conclude the Iran war? Israel’s frequent violent responses to opposition include threats that sometimes escalate into false-flag operations or targeted attacks such as exploding pager assassinations used in Lebanon. US politics is infiltrated by officials loyal to Israel, and Zionist supporters dominate critical American infrastructures like the national media. Given these factors, the situation could deteriorate significantly.
Original article: The Unz Review
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