"Don't Trust Them": Netanyahu’s Three-Hour Warning to Trump’s Envoy on Iran

In a pivotal three-hour meeting in Jerusalem on Tuesday evening, Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with White House Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff to coordinate strategy ahead of the upcoming U.S. negotiations with Tehran. Netanyahu used the lengthy session to deliver a sharp warning regarding the reliability of the Iranian regime, asserting that their past behavior proves they cannot be trusted to uphold any diplomatic agreement. The meeting also focused heavily on the future of the Gaza Strip, with the Prime Minister reiterating Israel's absolute demands for the total disarmament of the Hamas terrorist organization and the complete demilitarization of the enclave. As Witkoff prepares to travel to Turkey for high-stakes talks with Iranian officials, the Israeli leadership has made it clear that any regional "grand bargain" must prioritize security guarantees and the absolute removal of terrorist threats.

The Iran Warning and Broken Promises

The timing of the meeting was specifically arranged to brief Witkoff before his scheduled encounter with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Istanbul this Friday. According to an official statement from the Prime Minister’s Office, Netanyahu "emphasized his position that Iran has proven time and time again that its promises cannot be relied upon." This skeptical stance comes amidst reports that Iran is offering to limit uranium enrichment in exchange for the lifting of sanctions. Netanyahu’s message was intended to serve as a cautionary guide for the American delegation, suggesting that without invasive inspections and severe consequences for violations, any deal would merely serve as a smokescreen for Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

The Prime Minister also took the opportunity to update U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee on disturbing new intelligence regarding the misuse of international aid. Netanyahu presented evidence of "serious violations" discovered in the Gaza Strip, specifically the use of UNRWA bags to conceal weapons and military equipment. This revelation is part of Israel's broader effort to show that international organizations in the region have been infiltrated by terrorists, complicating future reconstruction efforts.

Gaza's Future: Disarmament and Demilitarization

Turning to the local front, Netanyahu laid out his "uncompromising demands" for the resolution of the war in Gaza. He insisted on the full disarmament of Hamas and the total demilitarization of the territory as a non-negotiable prerequisite for any post-war reconstruction. "The Prime Minister clarified that the Palestinian Authority will not be part of the management of the Strip in any way," the statement noted, underscoring a significant policy gap between Jerusalem and some factions in Washington. Netanyahu stressed that the goals of the war must be fully completed before a single brick is laid for the rebuilding of Gaza.

The discussion also touched on the second phase of the ceasefire agreement, with Netanyahu emphasizing that Israel will not allow terrorists to regroup or rearm under the guise of a humanitarian pause. By providing Witkoff with a comprehensive briefing that included input from Israel's top security chiefs, Netanyahu sought to ensure that the U.S. envoy enters the room with the Iranians fully aware of the Israeli perspective on the "multi-arena" threat. The meeting concluded with a clear understanding that while the U.S. pursues a diplomatic breakthrough, Israel remains on high alert for the possibility that Iran’s "promises" will once again be broken.