Trump Administration and Netanyahu Diverge on Iran Strategy
Donald Trump has rejected a proposal by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to encourage mass street protests in Iran to topple the regime, according to sources cited by Axios.
Trump reportedly expressed serious concerns that such a move would lead to civilian bloodshed, recalling previous instances of Iranian security forces violently suppressing protests. The conversation between the two leaders took place shortly after Iran’s top security official Ali Larijani was killed in an Israeli strike.
Netanyahu has argued for his position by claiming that the Iranian leadership is in a state of disorganization and there is a possibility of a popular uprising. Despite Washington’s reservations, Israel’s prime minister has publicly called on Iranians to take to the streets during the traditional fire festival, saying Israel’s actions created the conditions for it.
This situation underscores a growing divergence between Washington and Jerusalem’s positions on Iran strategy. Even as the Israeli leadership considers the possibility of a wider military escalation and even encouraging domestic change in Tehran, the US side has signaled that it prefers a shorter conflict and a diplomatic solution.
According to sources, Trump is pushing for the war to end within the four-to-six-week timeframe originally outlined and is working toward a quick ceasefire. At the same time, the Israeli government is discussing the possibility of an intensive military operation against key targets in Iran.
The main goals formulated by the Israeli side include the destruction of Iran’s ballistic missile arsenal, preventing the development of nuclear weapons and creating conditions for internal political change in the country.
For its part, the US administration has officially emphasized limiting Iran’s military and nuclear capabilities, without including regime change among its stated goals.
Military Deployment and Diplomatic Efforts
In parallel with the diplomatic efforts, the Pentagon has ordered the deployment of about 2,000 paratroopers from the 82nd Airborne Division to the Middle East, who will join already deployed Marines. According to US sources, Washington does not rule out the possibility of a wider military operation if the talks fail.
The US-proposed plan to settle the conflict includes dismantling Iran’s nuclear and missile programs, guaranteeing free navigation through the Strait of Hormuz and ending support for allied armed groups. However, Tehran has rejected the proposals, demanding the closure of US bases in the region, reparations and an end to Israeli strikes against Iran’s allies.
Communication between the US and Iran is currently carried out indirectly through intermediaries in the Middle East, including Egypt, Turkey, and Pakistan.
As The Jerusalem Post notes, in the past, Israel largely stood alone on the front line against Iran, occasionally managing to bring the United States and European partners on board, but only on the nuclear issue.
The Carnegie Endowment for International Peace highlights the complexities of assigning responsibility for the current conflict, cautioning against simplistic narratives.
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