Trump Pursues Iran Deal to Reopen Hormuz, Stirring Israeli Alarm Over Weaker Nuclear Curbs
Updated
Updated · The Guardian · May 26
Trump Pursues Iran Deal to Reopen Hormuz, Stirring Israeli Alarm Over Weaker Nuclear Curbs
7 articles · Updated · The Guardian · May 26
Three months after the February war, Trump is pursuing a deal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to oil tankers, and reported terms have triggered alarm, anger and dismay across Israel.
Israeli commentators and officials fear the agreement would ease pressure on Tehran while imposing nuclear limits seen as weaker than the 2015 JCPOA, potentially sending billions to the regime without addressing missiles or regional proxies.
Israel has also been sidelined from the talks, with the New York Times reporting it has not been updated on their progress and has relied on regional allies' intelligence networks to track Iran's leadership.
Polls still show broad support for the decision to go to war, but backing for Netanyahu's government slipped as regime change failed to materialize; only just over a third rated its handling of the conflict positively in April.
The backlash has widened into a political warning for Netanyahu: critics say the war may leave Iran still standing, strain Israel's bipartisan US support, and even accelerate the nuclear threat he vowed to crush.
How will the unprecedented US-Israel rift over Iran permanently reshape security and alliances across the entire Middle East?
After a costly war for regime change, is the emerging US-Iran deal a strategic pivot or an admission of failure?
With its leader dead but nuclear program intact, is post-Khamenei Iran actually more dangerous and closer to a bomb than ever?
US-Iran 2026 Deal: Ceasefire, Strait of Hormuz Reopening, and the Unresolved Nuclear and Missile Challenge
Overview
As of May 26, 2026, the United States and Iran reached an immediate deal that sets a 30-day period to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and ensure safe maritime passage, while also establishing a 60-day window for further nuclear talks. Although Iran has not yet agreed to specific nuclear actions, the deal aims to de-escalate tensions and create space for future dialogue. This framework prioritizes immediate maritime security and sets the stage for more detailed negotiations, reflecting ongoing uncertainty and highlighting the need for concrete commitments in upcoming discussions.