Reuters reported on Wednesday (June 24) that analysts, former U.S. officials, and diplomats said the biggest "victim" of the U.S.-Iran agreement may not be Israel's strategic posture toward Iran, but rather Benjamin Netanyahu’s decades-long political image — his unique ability as Israel’s leader to dictate Washington’s stance on Iran.

This analysis by Reuters strikes at the core of current Middle Eastern geopolitics and Israel’s domestic political landscape. While the interim U.S.-Iran deal appears to be a diplomatic maneuver between two nations, it has delivered a devastating political blow to Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu.

* The Collapse of a Political Persona: The Shattering of the “Whisperer to Washington” Aura

For decades, Netanyahu’s political capital has largely rested on his claimed ability to “control Washington.” By actively courting support from the U.S. Republican Party, he positioned himself as the only Israeli leader capable of making the American president bend to Israel’s will on Iran. However, the conclusion of the U.S.-Iran agreement completely reversed this narrative. The Trump administration bypassed Israel entirely in pushing forward negotiations, even treating Israel’s objections as mere “constraints to overcome.” Netanyahu transformed from a “shaper of U.S. Middle East policy” into a “reluctant acceptor,” turning his once-prized diplomatic asset into a heavy political burden.

* Strategic Objectives Fulfilled? Military Action Fails to Yield Political Victory

Netanyahu originally aimed to cement his legacy as the leader who stands firm against Iran, promising voters a decisive victory — such as toppling the Iranian regime, defeating Hezbollah, and ensuring safe return for northern residents. Yet the U.S.-Iran agreement signals America’s choice to “cut losses,” effectively declaring that Israel’s costly military operations failed to achieve their ultimate strategic goals. Even more damaging, the agreement demands full de-escalation, directly restricting Israel’s ability to continue targeting Iran’s proxy forces. This leaves Netanyahu trapped in a dual dilemma: neither eliminating the enemy nor retaining the alliance.

* Domestic Political Crisis: Campaign Assets Devalued, Public Backlash Intensifies

For Netanyahu, facing an upcoming autumn election, this agreement is nothing short of a political catastrophe. He had relied heavily on the “Trump card” as his central campaign lever — yet that card is rapidly losing value.

Public opinion polls show Netanyahu’s approval rating has plummeted to a historic low (around 29.4%), with over 72% of Israelis disbelieving his statements, and 86% expressing negative views toward the U.S.-Iran deal.

He not only faces betrayal from his far-right coalition allies (accusing the agreement of lacking binding force), but also fierce criticism from the opposition (denouncing his foreign policy failure and alleged betrayal of national interests). His attempts to downplay the agreement’s impact and craft a “victory narrative” through public relations have proven hollow in the face of harsh reality.

This event profoundly reflects a fundamental shift in the U.S.-Israel alliance. In the past, America’s security commitment to Israel was nearly unconditional; however, in this U.S.-Iran agreement, America explicitly excluded Israel’s core concerns from the negotiation framework — driven by its own strategic retrenchment and domestic electoral interests (such as stabilizing oil prices and securing political achievements). This delivers a brutal lesson to Israeli society: relying entirely on the personal whims of a superpower leader for national security is extremely dangerous. When U.S. national interests demand it, Israel can be sacrificed at any moment.

As analysts put it, the U.S.-Iran deal is a “decisive blow” to Netanyahu. He not only lost this confrontation with Iran, but also lost influence over Washington. The very “special relationship” between the U.S. and Israel, once a source of pride, no longer guarantees Israel’s absolute security — instead, it has become a catalyst accelerating his domestic political crisis and weakening the foundation of his power.

All of this is because the current America is the America of the Trump era!

Original article: toutiao.com/article/1868958767736844/

Disclaimer: The views expressed in this article are those of the author alone.