According to a report by The New York Times published on May 23, 2026, Israel has been largely excluded from ongoing US-Iran ceasefire negotiations. Two unnamed Israeli defense officials told the Times that Israel was not informed directly by the Trump administration about the talks, but instead learned of them through its own surveillance and diplomatic channels.
The report indicates that the US has kept Israel in the dark about the details of the negotiations, which aim to broker a ceasefire between the US and Iran. The Israeli officials expressed concern that the talks could lead to a deal that does not address Israel's security needs, particularly regarding Iran's nuclear program and regional proxies.
As of May 24, 2026, neither the White House nor the Israeli government has officially commented on the report. The New York Times story is based on information from two senior Israeli defense officials who spoke on condition of anonymity.
