The conflict between Israel and Iran is entering an especially sensitive phase—not only on the battlefield, but above all on the diplomatic stage. Behind the attacks, targeted killings, and combative messaging, a far more complex game is unfolding: who will set the terms for the end of the war—Jerusalem or Washington?

The central message of recent developments is a widening gap between Israel’s interests and the considerations of the American administration under US President Donald Trump. While Israel sees a strategic window of opportunity to inflict a systemic economic blow on Iran, the United States is also weighing the domestic political and global costs of the war.

From Israel’s perspective, a temporary ceasefire is not a “pause,” but a missed historic opportunity. It could allow Iran to recover, reorganize its systems, and return to the negotiating table in a stronger position. Jerusalem’s concern, therefore, is not only about a bad agreement, but above all about ending the fighting too soon.

The fact that the negotiations are being conducted exclusively through indirect channels—between Vice...

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