U.S.-Iran MOU signed June 17, Israeli polls show drop in Trump support

A 14-point memorandum of understanding between the United States and Iran took effect June 17. The document sets a 60-day period for talks aimed at a permanent settlement and calls for an immediate end to military operations on all fronts, including Lebanon.

The MOU requires Iran to forgo nuclear weapons development and to down-blend enriched materials under IAEA supervision. In exchange, the United States will conditionally lift sanctions and provide Iran with a $300 billion economic reconstruction plan.

Israeli public opinion after the agreement A June 28-July 1 Israel Democracy Institute survey found that 28 percent of Israelis now view Israel’s security as a central consideration for the United States, down from 61 percent in March. Thirty-eight percent said Israel’s security situation is better than before the Iran war, while 72 percent supported maintaining a permanent security zone in southern Lebanon even if it means clashing with the United States.

A June 17-20 Hebrew University survey reported that 69.1 percent of respondents rated U.S. management of the war and its aftermath as failed or poor. Ninety-two point one percent said Iran won both the war and the MOU negotiations, and 87 percent said Israel’s long-term security had been weakened.

Background on the February offensive The United States and Israel launched an offensive against Iran on Feb. 28. Stated objectives included dismantling the Iranian regime, destroying nuclear weapons capabilities, disabling ballistic missiles, and cutting ties between Iran and its proxies.

Gayil Talshir, an expert on Israeli public opinion at the Hebrew University, said none of those goals had been met. The MOU was an American initiative, and Israeli officials were not included in the final negotiations.