Iran weakened, Hezbollah shattered since Oct. 7, former strategic affairs minister Dermer asserts

Ron Dermer, a key confidant of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, just asserted that Iran strategic capabilities have been 'destroyed' and Hezbollah 'shattered' since the October 7, 2023 attacks, a stark counter-narrative to mounting Israeli concerns over a newly inked US-Iran agreement. Speaking at a United Hatzalah gala on Monday, Dermer urged Israel to re-evaluate the strategic landscape, even as a controversial memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran stirs significant backlash within Jerusalem. This declaration arrives amid a highly contentious US-Iran agreement, signed electronically Sunday, which Israeli officials decry as 'bad' for prioritizing regional calm and the reopening of the Strait of Hormuz over permanently dismantling Iran nuclear infrastructure and curbing its proxy network. The deal emerges after a joint US-Israeli military operation against Iran in early 2026 that significantly degraded Tehran's military leadership and infrastructure, yet Iran has shown resilience and leveraged its chokehold on key shipping lanes. Despite Dermer's assessment of Hezbollah being at '25% of its former strength', Israel continues intense operations against the group in Lebanon, with Prime Minister Netanyahu insisting Israel is not bound by the new agreement's ceasefire clauses concerning its northern border. The coming days will be critical, with a final US-Iran deal signing anticipated Friday, June 19, further cementing an accord deeply unpopular with parts of the Israeli establishment. Observers will watch closely for how Israel reconciles its stated intent to continue degrading Hezbollah with potential US pressure for regional de-escalation, especially as conflicting interpretations of the agreement's scope, particularly regarding Lebanon, fuel heightened regional uncertainty. The long-term implications for Iran nuclear ambitions and the 'Axis of Resistance' remain an open question, with Tehran aiming to emerge in a stronger strategic position despite recent setbacks.