Netanyahu returns from Washington empty-handed: No escalation against Iran, no confrontation with Türkiye

Salah Jumaa: Deputy Editor-in-Chief of the Middle East News Agency, specializing in Palestinian affairs.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu returned from Washington carrying a heavy political disappointment after a visit he had hoped would yield strategic gains on issues affecting Israeli national security. However, he encountered clear messages from US President Donald Trump that fell short of his ambitions and restricted his movement in several directions. Instead of returning as a political victor, he returned laden with conservative positions that reflected a shift in the priorities of his American ally.

Netanyahu had hoped to garner American support for a strike on Iran's nuclear facilities, but he was surprised by Trump's announcement that the United States would begin direct negotiations with Iran on Saturday. He indicated that an agreement was better than confrontation, and that failure of the talks would be a very bad day for Tehran. This message was a political shock to Netanyahu, who had always rejected any negotiations with Tehran and pushed for a military solution. This time, however, he found himself facing a US administration leaning toward diplomatic solutions, which deprived him of his most important leverage.

On the Turkish issue, Netanyahu's stance was more tense, as he warned against Turkish expansion in northern Syria and considered Ankara a strategic threat to Israel. However, Trump responded publicly, stating that he enjoys an excellent relationship with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and instructing him to act rationally towards Turkey. This response represented a new diplomatic slap in the face, as it clearly revealed that Washington is not willing to enter into any confrontation with Ankara to please Tel Aviv, and that the alliance with Turkey remains a pillar of America's regional balance of power.

On the economy, Netanyahu entered the meeting with Trump hoping to obtain an exemption from US tariffs on Israeli exports, particularly in vital areas such as medical and technological products. However, Trump was firm when he stated that his country provides Israel with $4 billion annually and may not sign a new trade agreement. This closed the door to any additional economic concessions, emphasizing that financial support does not give Israel the right to demand special trade treatment. Netanyahu's pledges to reduce the trade deficit in Washington's favor were in vain, as the US president made clear that trade standards apply to everyone, without exception.

At the outset of his discussion of the Gaza issue, Trump began to fully identify with Netanyahu's narrative, reiterating his attacks on Hamas, describing the Strip as a death trap, and even hinting at the transfer of residents and the reconstruction of the area after its evacuation. These statements seemed to reinforce the Israeli narrative and provide Netanyahu with complete political cover.

But the surprise came when Trump explicitly announced that the United States was making every effort to reach a ceasefire agreement that included the release of the hostages. This particular clause was particularly troubling to Netanyahu, as it set a time limit for military operations and pushed for a negotiated solution that was inconsistent with his ambition to exploit the war politically until the end. The message from Washington was clear: support does not mean an open mandate, and a ceasefire is required as soon as possible.

Ultimately, Netanyahu left his visit to Washington without any tangible gains, but rather with a set of messages confirming that the current US administration, despite its declared friendship, has begun to deal with Israel with a more balanced and cautious logic. US positions on Iran, Turkey, customs, and Gaza appeared more realistic and more closely linked to US interests than to Israeli pressure, and Netanyahu realized that his position in Washington was no longer what it had been. If this visit proved anything, it was that US support is no longer automatic or unconditional, even under the administration of an ally named Donald Trump.

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Netanyahu left his visit to Washington without any tangible gains, but rather with a series of messages confirming that the current US administration, despite its declared friendship, has begun to deal with Israel with a more balanced and conservative approach.