3 min readJun 16, 2026 08:20 AM IST
First published on: Jun 15, 2026 at 12:41 PM IST
Israeli National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir rejected the US-Iran peace deal, asserting that his country is a sovereign nation and not bound by the demands of the United States.
He argued that the deal compromises national security and insisted that Israel should not withdraw from any territory captured by the country’s armed forces in Lebanon.
“Trump’s agreement does not bind us. Israel is not subordinate to the United States. We are an independent and sovereign country,” Gvir said, according to The Times of Israel.
“We are not partners to this agreement, which does not safeguard our security. We must not withdraw from any territory [in Lebanon] that our fighters have captured,” he added.
‘Let the oil flow’
US President Donald Trump, on Sunday (Jun 14), announced the completion of a deal with Iran, ordering the immediate lifting of the US naval blockade.
He officially opened the Strait of Hormuz to toll-free maritime traffic, declaring that global shipping can resume and oil can flow freely once again.
“The Deal with the Islamic Republic of Iran is now complete. Congratulations to all! I hereby fully authorise the toll-free opening of the Strait of Hormuz, and, simultaneously herewith, authorise the immediate removal of the United States Naval blockade. Ships of the World, start your engines. Let the oil flow,” Trump said in a post on his Truth Social handle.
The United States and Iran will formally sign the agreement in Geneva, Switzerland, upon the conclusion of the Group of Seven Nations (G7) summit in nearby Évians-les-Bains, France.
Trump says Lebanon strike shouldn’t derail peace deal with Iran
Trump had earlier criticised Israel for launching attacks on the Lebanese capital, Beirut, and called on all sides to refrain from extending hostilities.
“This morning’s attack on Beirut should not have happened, particularly on a special day when we are so close to a Peace Deal with Iran,” the US president wrote in a post on X.
“Israel has the right to defend itself against threats, but the attack it was responding to was very small and meaningless, nobody was hurt, injured, or killed, and should not disrupt this important process,” he said.
US President Donald Trump (File Photo) 
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