Israeli minister Zohar: US will soon come face-to-face with Israel

Israeli Culture and Sports Minister Miki Zohar criticized Washington's agreement with Iran, claiming the US will soon 'come face-to-face' with Israel.

Scraper SystemJune 25, 2026, 02:50 PM

Israeli minister Zohar: US will soon come face-to-face with Israel

Israeli Culture and Sports Minister Miki Zohar harshly criticized the memorandum of understanding signed between the US and Iran. Zohar claimed that the Washington administration will soon “come face-to-face” with Tel Aviv.

Zohar's remarks came at the Local Government Conference held in Israel. Speaking at the two-day conference, as reported by the Hebrew newspaper Yediot Ahronot, the minister described the US's current stance on the Iran file as “not good.”

Rising criticism from Israel toward Washington

Zohar's statement was recorded as part of growing criticism in Israel against the administration of President Donald Trump. Israeli officials have voiced concerns that the agreement will be ineffective in halting Iran's nuclear program, while Washington argues the aim of the agreement is to control escalation and prevent a wider military conflict.

The debate further intensified after US Vice President JD Vance's remarks at the White House last week. Vance criticized Israeli ministers, saying that if he were in Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government, he “would not attack the only strong ally left in the world.”

Zohar: Israel's response will not be automatic

Minister Zohar stated that Israel's response to the US would not be “automatic.” He said that Tel Aviv's “security interest” would determine any military steps against Iran. Zohar also said, “In my view, the American agreement will not resolve the nuclear weapons issue, and the war phase will return much sooner than we think.”

Details of the agreement and Iran's nuclear program

Washington and Tehran signed a memorandum of understanding on June 18, and the parties began negotiations in Switzerland under the mediation of Pakistan and Qatar. The agreement aims to end the war launched by the US and Israel against Iran on February 28.

The memorandum covers topics including ending the war, including in Lebanon, reopening the Strait of Hormuz, lifting the US naval blockade on Iran, lifting sanctions, the nuclear file, and reconstruction.

Washington and Tel Aviv accuse Tehran of having nuclear and missile programs that threaten Israel and US allies in the region. Iran maintains that its nuclear program is peaceful, does not aim to produce nuclear weapons, and does not threaten other countries.

Israel, which occupies Palestinian territories and parts of Lebanon and Syria, is the only country in the region with a nuclear arsenal that is not officially declared and is not subject to International Atomic Energy Agency inspection.

Israeli minister Zohar: US will soon come face-to-face with Israel

Israeli Culture and Sports Minister Miki Zohar criticized Washington's agreement with Iran, claiming the US will soon 'come face-to-face' with Israel.