In a recent interview, a former head of counterterrorism at the Mossad criticized former U.S. President Donald Trump's approach to negotiations with Iran, stating that Trump 'does not understand the terminology of the Middle East, not the dialectic, and the Iranians are taking advantage of that.' The comments were reported by Israeli media on June 9, 2026.
The former official, who spoke on condition of anonymity due to the sensitivity of the matter, argued that Trump's direct negotiation style is ill-suited to the complex political culture of the region. 'The Iranians are masters of negotiation and delay tactics,' the source said. 'They see Trump's eagerness for a deal as a weakness.'
This criticism comes amid ongoing indirect talks between the U.S. and Iran over Tehran's nuclear program. The Trump administration has pursued a policy of 'maximum pressure' combined with offers of direct dialogue, a strategy that has drawn mixed reactions from Israeli security officials.
Iran has consistently denied seeking nuclear weapons, but the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) has reported that Iran has enriched uranium to levels beyond those permitted under the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA). The U.S. has not confirmed any direct negotiations with Iran as of June 10, 2026.
