Israel expects the incoming Trump administration to take a hard line against Iran and its nuclear ambitions, creating opportunities for further peace deals with Arab neighbors, according to a senior member of Israel’s security cabinet.
Energy minister Eli Cohen, in an interview with Reuters, expressed optimism that the new US administration would support decisive actions against Iran, similar to the approach during Trump’s first term. Cohen pointed out that Israel is closer than ever to a potential agreement to end hostilities in Lebanon and push Iran-backed Hezbollah away from the border, though he stressed Israel’s right to act militarily if necessary.
Israel has been embroiled in a multi-front war since October 7, 2023, when Hamas, supported by Iran, launched an attack from Gaza on southern Israel. Hezbollah followed suit the next day. Israel responded with air and ground campaigns in Gaza, and in recent months, intensified operations in southern Lebanon. Iran-backed militias have also launched attacks on Israel from Yemen and Iraq, escalating tensions with Iran.
Cohen said that the incoming Trump administration has already appointed key staff members who support a firm stance against Iran. He pointed to Trump’s earlier efforts to impose sanctions on Iran, which Cohen believes were close to forcing Tehran to change its behavior on nuclear issues by the end of Trump’s first term.
“The period of Trump’s previous administration was characterised by greater regional stability,” Cohen said. “We certainly hope and believe that the Trump administration’s policy will continue, and first and foremost, we see the most central issue as acting assertively against Iran.”
Cohen also praised Trump’s criticism of President Joe Biden’s handling of sanctions, claiming Biden’s policy had weakened Washington’s position and emboldened Tehran. Trump’s administration had withdrawn from the 2015 nuclear deal with Iran and reimposed sanctions, which had successfully pressured Tehran into talks about its nuclear program.
Trump’s new administration has continued to appoint officials who share a tough stance on Iran, including US Senator Marco Rubio for secretary of state and Mike Waltz for national security adviser. “We think he (Trump) is targeting the bottom line. To rein in the threatening actors and create new regional alliances that are very important,” Cohen said.
Israel is also hoping to finalise a peace deal with Saudi Arabia, although Riyadh has made clear that any agreement with Israel must include a pathway to a Palestinian state. Israel’s recent success in normalising relations with the UAE and Bahrain through the US-brokered Abraham Accords has sparked hopes for further regional peace agreements.
Regarding Lebanon, Cohen said Israel is “closer to an arrangement” than it has been since the war began, with discussions ongoing to establish terms that would ensure Hezbollah is kept away from Israel’s border.
However, Cohen emphasised that Israel would not tolerate any efforts by Hezbollah to establish strongholds near the border and would act decisively to prevent this. The specific enforcement mechanisms for any potential agreement are still under discussion but have not been finalised.