How does Israel fit in the US-Iran talks?

Published March 23, 2026 5:22pm ET



President Donald Trump announced on Monday that U.S. officials had been in indirect communication with Iranian leaders about a possible off-ramp to end the war, but it is unclear how Israel will factor into these discussions.

The president’s remarks were the first indication of a possible off-ramp to conclude the conflict, but his objectives and those of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu differ, which raises the specter of whether Trump could and would agree to a deal that does not have Israeli support and whether Iran would agree to stop the conflict if Israel does not.

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