Netanyahu’s war? Analysts say Trump’s Iran strikes benefit Israel, not US | Donald Trump News
Trump Initiates Military Action Against Iran Amid Claims of Freedom Agenda
Tehran, Iran — In May, President Donald Trump announced a shift in U.S. foreign policy during a visit to the Middle East, stating that the United States would no longer attempt to reshape the region or alter its governance. He criticized past administrations, asserting, “In the end, the so-called nation-builders wrecked far more nations than they built.”
However, less than a year later, Trump ordered a military campaign against Iran, claiming the intent to bring “freedom” to the nation. This approach mirrors the rhetoric of interventionist policies championed by previous administrations, including that of George W. Bush, whom Trump frequently criticized during his political career.
Analysts observe that the current military action against Iran appears inconsistent with Trump’s stated political ideology and previously outlined campaign promises. Experts specializing in Iranian affairs contend that the conflict primarily serves the interests of Israel and its Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu.
Negar Mortazavi, a senior fellow at the Center for International Policy, characterized the war as a “war of choice” driven by U.S. intervention at the behest of Israel. “This is another Israeli war that the U.S. is launching,” Mortazavi noted, adding that Israel has sought U.S. attacks on Iran for two decades.
Netanyahu, who supported the U.S. invasion of Iraq in 2003, has consistently warned that Iran is close to acquiring nuclear weapons. Iran has denied these allegations, and even officials within the Trump administration have acknowledged a lack of evidence supporting claims that Tehran is weaponizing its uranium enrichment program.
Following extensive U.S. military strikes against Iran’s enrichment facilities last June—an attack Trump claimed severely impacted Iran’s nuclear capabilities—Netanyahu pivoted to new concerns over Iran’s ballistic missile program. He claimed that Iran could threaten U.S. cities, statements that have been met with skepticism, including from American officials who have found little public evidence to support these assertions.
Trump has further advanced the narrative of an imminent Iranian threat, stating during a recent address, “They’re working to build missiles that will soon reach the United States.” Despite these claims, polls show that American public opinion remains largely opposed to further military engagement in the region, with only 21 percent supporting war with Iran according to a survey by the University of Maryland.
The initial day of military action saw Iran retaliate with missile strikes aimed at locations housing U.S. troops and assets in the Middle East, escalating tensions throughout the region. Trump acknowledged the potential for U.S. casualties, stating, “That often happens in war… we’re doing this for the future.”
Earlier this month, the Trump administration had appeared to be stepping back from conflict, engaging in diplomatic negotiations with Iran that reportedly produced significant progress. However, the June conflict occurred concurrently with these diplomatic efforts, raising questions about the timing and motivations behind the military campaign.
Jamal Abdi, president of the National Iranian American Council, commented that the escalation in conflict serves Netanyahu’s interests, as it undermines potential diplomatic resolutions. He expressed concern that Trump’s rhetoric around regime change could lead the U.S. into a prolonged military entanglement.
In his announcement regarding the military strikes, Trump framed the action as essential for safeguarding American national security interests. However, critics, including some aligned with the “America First” movement, contend that Iran, located over 10,000 kilometers away, does not pose a direct threat to the U.S.
Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib emphasized the lack of public support for military action against Iran, stating, “Trump is acting on the violent fantasies of the American political elite and the Israeli apartheid government, ignoring the vast majority of Americans who say loud and clear: No More Wars.”
