Israeli press casts emerging US-Iran deal as a strategic defeat for Netanyahu Submitted by Nadav Rapaport on Tue, 06/16/2026 - 15:19 Military correspondents and economic commentators warn that a costly and inconclusive war has left Tehran emboldened and the prime minister diminished at home Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu holds a news conference, following a US-Iran deal, in Jerusalem, 15 June 2026 (Reuters/Ronen Zvulun/Pool) Off While Israeli politicians and journalists voiced anger on Sunday over the emerging deal between the US and Iran, on Monday military affairs experts warned that Iran is becoming a regional power. Alon Ben David, the veteran military correspondent of Channel 13 News, said that the emerging deal could be a blow to Israel's standing in the Middle East with far-reaching implications. "This is a dramatic day for Israel and for generations to come," the Israeli journalist warned, adding the agreement "marks a turning point in the Middle East." According to Ben David, "Israel had been the strongest and dominant power in the region, backed by the US, but this agreement clears the path for Iran to become the region’s most influential power." Ben David stated that the agreement will give Iran access to its frozen assets, which are worth billions of dollars, while also generating additional $300bn.