Israeli officials fear that the rift with the White House could lead to an arms embargo and security restrictions, the Israeli newspaper Maariv has reported.

The report said on Thursday that Israeli officials are concerned that if Tel Aviv continues to insist on its current position, the deepening dispute with Washington amid the newly signed US-Iran memorandum of understanding could result in delays in arms shipments, restrictions on military assistance, and the possibility of harsher measures, including an arms embargo.

They said US President Donald Trump's remarks criticising Israel's escalation in Lebanon and his personal comments regarding Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu were a signal of American pressure being applied behind the scenes, which is expected to intensify following the signing of the memorandum of understanding between Washington and Tehran.

Trump has reportedly been exerting pressure on Netanyahu in recent weeks to show flexibility on the northern front as part of his efforts to secure the signing of the deal with Iran.

The officials, according to the newspaper, said the US demands include an Israeli withdrawal from five positions in southern Lebanon, withdrawal from the Syrian Hermon area, and a significant reduction in military escalation that could jeopardise the diplomatic process with Iran.

They argued that Washington will continue its pressure and seek to obtain from Netanyahu a commitment to withdraw.

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Strained ties

According to the officials, efforts are underway to mend ties with the White House, and the possibility of holding a meeting with Trump or sending a senior delegation to Washington is being considered, although no response has reportedly been received from the US so far.

Earlier, Trump told Israeli broadcaster KAN that he supports Netanyahu in the October elections. Those comments, however, came after he slammed Netanyahu over the Lebanon invasion.

"We have a little dispute over Lebanon. I say, 'You can do a little softer touch, Bibi. You don't have to knock down a building every time somebody walks into it that's from Hezbollah,'" Trump said at the G7.

In a tense private call over Israel's invasion in Lebanon, which threatened US-Iran negotiations, Trump reportedly lashed out strongly, calling Netanyahu "f_____ crazy" and even using strong language like "What the f___ are you doing?"