Iran has communicated openness to a new nuclear pact permitting low-level uranium enrichment, with senior adviser Ali Shamkhani stating on NBC that the Islamic Republic could sign an agreement if the United States is not deterred by Israeli objections. The offer adds a new dimension to diplomatic maneuvering as mounting security challenges fueled by Iranian-backed networks continue to challenge Israel and regional stability.
Shamkhani’s interview, which aired against the backdrop of intensifying conflict stemming from Iran’s support for terrorist proxies across the Middle East, underscores Tehran’s efforts to exploit divisions between Washington and Jerusalem. By emphasizing the ease of reaching an accord in the absence of what he called ‘Netanyahu’s pressure,’ Iran seeks to leverage current U.S.-Israel disagreements for strategic gain.
This diplomatic overture emerges amid a hostile geopolitical environment. The U.S. exited the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) in 2018 under President Donald Trump, who imposed an intensive sanctions campaign aimed at curbing Iran’s nuclear ambitions and regional influence. In the intervening years, Iran has expanded enrichment activities and fortified alliances with Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, the Houthis in Yemen, and affiliated militias in Syria and Iraq. These proxies—guided and supplied by the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC)—pose an ongoing direct threat to Israel, demonstrated most dramatically in the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led massacre.
That attack, the deadliest antisemitic atrocity since the Holocaust, saw more than 1,200 people murdered and hundreds abducted into Gaza amid systematic executions, sexual abuse, and mutilations. The event cemented Israel’s current military campaign as a clear act of self-defense and fundamentally shaped the terms of diplomatic engagement with Iran and its proxies.
Iran’s nuclear activities remain closely tracked by the International Atomic Energy Agency, which has repeatedly cautioned about the regime’s advances toward weapons-grade uranium. Despite Tehran’s stated commitment to peaceful development, years of veiled activity and the concurrent growth of ballistic missile programs have left Israel and the international community skeptical regarding the regime’s intentions.
The current Israeli government, under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, remains uncompromising on the nuclear issue. Both the Prime Minister and IDF Chief of Staff, Lt. Gen. Eyal Zamir, have underscored the existential threat posed by a nuclear-capable Iran. Israeli officials have made it clear that any deal leaving domestic enrichment capacity in place is unacceptable, preserving the regime’s potential to reduce nuclear breakout time rapidly and putting Israel’s security at perpetual risk.
Shamkhani’s comments to NBC are seen by analysts as an attempt to amplify existing strains between President Trump and Netanyahu, heightening uncertainty about the trajectory of U.S.-Israeli cooperation. While the Trump administration spearheaded the Abraham Accords and maintained an assertive stance against Iran, shifting priorities and electoral pressures have exposed cracks between the allies, which Tehran is keen to exploit.
The fate of Israeli citizens still held hostage by Hamas is a critical object lesson of the region’s volatility. The victims, seized during the October 7 assault, remain at the mercy of Iranian-backed militants. Israel has insisted on their unconditional release, in stark contrast to any suggestions of prisoner exchanges involving convicted terrorists.
Israel’s conflict with Iran is not solely about nuclear technology but is rooted in decades of direct threats and systemic violence perpetrated by Tehran and its networks. Since the 1979 revolution, Iranian leaders have openly called for Israel’s destruction, supporting terror operations and proxy militarization as cornerstones of foreign policy. In addition to rocket fire from Gaza and Lebanon, Iran’s reach now extends to cyber warfare and maritime attacks, impacting global security.
Diplomatic efforts—both publicly and behind closed doors—are ongoing. European states, the United Nations, and Arab countries drawn together under the Abraham Accords are watching closely, aware that a miscalculated deal could unleash further destabilization. Evidence from Israeli intelligence points to sustained Iranian nuclear weapons research and a broad strategy of regional asymmetrical warfare.
For Israel, aligning with partners to counteract Iranian influence remains paramount. Any relaxation of international pressure on Tehran or legitimizing of its enrichment program is likely to be seen as undermining not only Israel’s national security but also the wider stability achieved through normalization agreements. The threat is shared by Arab neighbors facing similar dangers from Iranian-supported militias and terror acts.
Looking ahead, the intersection of renewed nuclear diplomacy, continued proxy conflict, and the enduring personal cost borne by Israeli hostages will shape regional dynamics. As Tehran maneuvers diplomatically and militarily, the Israeli position is firm: robust deterrence and moral clarity in defending its population and the regional order remain non-negotiable.
The coming months may prove decisive, testing both U.S.-Israeli resolve and the broader international community’s capacity to constrain Iranian adventurism. Whatever the outcome, the risks of a flawed agreement or misjudged concession remain high for Israel, its allies, and global security.
