A new episode of the Full Comment podcast examines the growing rift between the United States and Israel over the Iran deal, featuring insights from former Israeli officials. Host Brian Lilley speaks with Eylon Levy, former Israeli government spokesman, and Danny Citrinowicz, a former Israeli intelligence officer now with the Atlantic Council, about the implications of President Donald Trump's agreement with Tehran.
Levy: Deal drives wedge between allies
Levy argues that the Iran deal represents a total capitulation to the Islamic Republic and is seen as such in Israel, which fought alongside the Americans. He explains that the agreement allows Tehran to drive a wedge between Washington and Jerusalem, even as America's historic support for the Jewish state wanes—potentially permanently. "This is not just a policy disagreement; it's a fundamental shift in the relationship," Levy says.
Citrinowicz: Joint operation ill-conceived
Citrinowicz analyzes why the joint U.S.-Israeli operation against Iran was ill-conceived from the start and why it is ending badly. He warns that Israel's ongoing battle to curb threats from Iran and its proxies may now only serve to further alienate the White House. "The operation was doomed from the beginning," Citrinowicz notes, adding that Israel must now navigate a new reality without full U.S. backing.
The podcast, recorded June 18 and 19, 2026, highlights the deepening divide between the two allies, with potential long-term consequences for regional security.
