‘Won’t lower gaze’: Israel says US-Iran deal doesn’t bind it

In a strongly worded statement on X, Ben-Gvir asserted that Israel was “an independent and sovereign nation” and would not subordinate its security interests to international pressure.

“Trump’s agreement does not bind us. Israel is not subject to the United States,” he said, while expressing gratitude to Washington and President Trump for their support.

The far-Right minister said past concessions had come at a heavy cost to Israel, citing the Oslo Accords, the 2006 Lebanon war settlement and periods of restraint in Gaza.

Insisting that Israel was “not a banana republic”, Ben-Gvir said he had repeatedly conveyed to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that the country must make “historic decisions” in moments of crisis.

He made it clear that he opposed any arrangement that did not guarantee Israel’s security and reiterated his demand for the dismantling of Hezbollah.

Ben-Gvir also ruled out withdrawing from territories captured during the conflict and warned that any drone, missile or UAV attack launched from Lebanon would invite an Israeli strike on Beirut's southern suburb of Dahiya, a Hezbollah stronghold. “We are not partners to this agreement and it does not bind us in any way,” he said.

Invoking Jewish history and identity, Ben-Gvir said Israel would no longer “lower its gaze before enemies”, adding, “Never again.”

His remarks underscored the challenges facing the implementation of the US-Iran understanding, which envisages an end to hostilities across multiple fronts, including Lebanon, and has raised hopes of easing tensions in a region battered by months of conflict.

The comments are likely to add to concerns over whether all parties involved will adhere to the terms of the emerging agreement, with several contentious issues still to be addressed in follow-up negotiations.