Israeli media, citing unnamed Israeli sources, has reported that US President Donald Trump and his advisers are determined to secure an agreement with Iran “at any cost”.
The report also claims Israel is no longer receiving direct updates from Washington about the diplomatic process and is instead obtaining much of its information indirectly.
Neither claim has been publicly confirmed by the White House, meaning the “at any cost” wording should be treated as an attributed Israeli media report rather than a verified statement from Trump himself.
WHAT IS CURRENTLY CONFIRMED?
The Trump administration has publicly expressed optimism that an agreement involving Iran and the Strait of Hormuz could be reached soon.
However, Iran has disputed claims that formal US-Iran negotiations are already underway.
Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei said Iran was not currently negotiating with the United States. He confirmed that Tehran was instead holding discussions with Oman about arrangements intended to restore safer commercial passage through the Strait of Hormuz. :contentReference[oaicite:0]{index=0}
Qatar, Oman and Pakistan have reportedly been involved in broader diplomatic efforts aimed at reducing tensions and encouraging negotiations. US officials have spoken positively about the possibility of progress, although major disagreements remain unresolved. :contentReference[oaicite:1]{index=1}
WHY IS ISRAEL CONCERNED?
Israel has consistently pushed for a harder US approach toward Iran, particularly concerning Iran’s nuclear and military capabilities.
A deal negotiated without Israel’s close involvement could limit Netanyahu’s influence over the final terms. It could also create disagreements over sanctions relief, military action and the conditions Iran would be required to accept.
The reported lack of direct American briefings, if accurate, would suggest growing mistrust between the Trump administration and the Israeli government.
However, because the claim comes from unnamed Israeli sources, it remains unclear whether Israel has been completely excluded or whether communication has merely become less frequent.
WHAT DOES “AT ANY COST” ACTUALLY MEAN?
There is currently no evidence that Trump has personally used those exact words publicly.
The expression appears to reflect how unnamed Israeli sources are interpreting Washington’s determination to reach an agreement.
It should not be reported as a direct Trump quote unless the White House, Trump himself or another independently verified source confirms it.
The safest description is that Israeli media reports the Trump administration is pushing extremely hard for a deal and that Israeli officials fear Washington may accept terms they consider too favourable to Iran.
IRAN AND THE UNITED STATES TELL DIFFERENT STORIES
Trump and members of his administration have repeatedly suggested negotiations are progressing.
Iran, however, maintains that no direct negotiations with Washington are currently taking place.
Baghaei has said Tehran’s active discussions are with Oman and concern temporary arrangements for shipping through the Strait of Hormuz. Iran has also indicated that a broader resolution would require an end to what it describes as continuing US aggression. :contentReference[oaicite:2]{index=2}
This difference in public messaging makes it difficult to determine how advanced the diplomatic effort actually is.
WHAT HAPPENS NEXT?
Further confirmation from Washington, Tehran or Israeli officials will be needed before the most dramatic parts of the report can be treated as established fact.
For now, three points are clear:
The Trump administration is publicly pushing for diplomatic progress.
Iran denies that direct US-Iran negotiations are currently underway.
Israeli media reports that Israel is worried it is being sidelined and believes Trump wants an agreement “at any cost”.
The situation may expose a widening divide between Trump and Netanyahu over whether pressure or negotiation offers the best path forward.
Would a US-Iran agreement reduce the risk of a wider war — or give Iran too much in return?