US-Israel Divergence Over Iran War Widens
16 reported2 unconfirmed
According to a single-source report from Vox, the military operation known as Operation Epic Fury in the United States and Operation Roaring Lion in Israel has lasted more than 100 days, marking the first time the two countries fought side by side. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was reportedly a key voice influencing President Donald Trump’s decision to launch the operation. However, differences in priorities have become increasingly evident, particularly after Iran launched its first direct attack against Israel since a tentative ceasefire in early April, firing missiles at several targets including an air base. Trump stated he urged Netanyahu not to retaliate to allow ceasefire talks to continue, telling the Financial Times that Netanyahu “won’t have any choice” but to accept a US-negotiated ceasefire, adding, “I call the shots.” Despite this, Israel launched strikes against a petrochemical plant in southern Iran, its first inside the country since the ceasefire, with US officials saying the US military did not participate. Both sides have since taken steps to deescalate, with Iran concluding its operations for now and Netanyahu halting preparations for another attack after Trump posted on Truth Social for both countries to “immediately stop ‘shooting.’” The report notes that both leaders face upcoming elections, with Netanyahu trailing in polls and Trump’s Republicans potentially losing congressional seats.
What’s reported
The war is called Operation Epic Fury in the US and Operation Roaring Lion in Israel.
Netanyahu was a key voice influencing Trump’s decision to launch the operation, which has lasted more than 100 days.
On Sunday night, Iran launched its first direct attack against Israel since a tentative ceasefire in early April, firing missiles at several targets including an air base; Tehran said it was retaliation for Israel’s prior offensive in southern Lebanon.
Trump said he urged Netanyahu not to retaliate and told the Financial Times that Netanyahu “won’t have any choice” but to accept a US-negotiated ceasefire, adding, “I call the shots.”
On Monday, Israel launched strikes against a petrochemical plant in southern Iran, its first strikes inside the country since the ceasefire; US officials say the US military did not participate.
Iran’s military says it has concluded its operations against Israel for now; Netanyahu instructed his military to halt preparations for another attack after Trump posted on Truth Social for both countries to “immediately stop ‘shooting.’”
Sources told the Wall Street Journal that Netanyahu had made clear to Trump in a Sunday conversation that he had to retaliate, and Trump urged him to keep it limited.
Trump called Netanyahu “fucking crazy” in a tense phone call a week prior, accusing him of ingratitude over Israel’s actions in Lebanon.
Trump warned Netanyahu that if he escalated the war further, he might be left to fight Iran alone.
Israel’s end goal has been regime change in Tehran; the US was more concerned about maintaining regional stability.
Both leaders face elections: Netanyahu in late October, Trump’s Republicans in November midterms.
The war is extremely popular in Israel; Netanyahu faces a corruption trial and criticism over security failures leading to the October 7, 2023, terrorist attacks.
Israel is pushing into Lebanon in response to Hezbollah rocket attacks, despite US-led ceasefire efforts.
Michael Koplow, chief policy officer at the Israel Policy Forum, said Netanyahu could not simply not respond to direct Iranian ballistic missiles on Israeli territory given his political situation.
The biggest point of stress may be Lebanon, where Israel views Hezbollah as an imminent threat and wants to separate it from Iran negotiations; Iran wants to link the two battlefields.
Trump has pushed Israel to curtail operations in Lebanon and avoid strikes on Beirut.
Open questions
Whether the US-Israeli relationship has fundamentally changed, which the article suggests will be tested when one or both leaders are out of office.
The exact details of the Sunday conversation between Trump and Netanyahu regarding the retaliation.
Key figures
President Donald Trump
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu
Michael Koplow, chief policy officer at the Israel Policy Forum
Sources: vox.com
