Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is pressing for further military action against Iran, despite United States President Donald Trump signalling a preference for reducing American involvement in Middle Eastern conflicts.
Netanyahu is expected to raise the issue during his upcoming visit to Trump’s Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida, with discussions likely to centre on Iran’s missile programme. Israeli officials argue that Tehran’s growing missile capacity poses an urgent threat, even after US strikes in June targeted Iranian nuclear facilities.
Trump has claimed those strikes effectively dismantled Iran’s nuclear ambitions, a position that has forced Israel to shift its focus to missiles. Analysts suggest this reflects a broader strategy by Netanyahu to maintain pressure on Iran and secure US backing for continued military operations.
Sina Toossi, a senior fellow at the Center for International Policy, noted that Trump’s priorities lean towards fostering economic partnerships and diplomatic ties between Israel and Arab states. Netanyahu, however, is seen as pursuing military dominance in the region. “This desire for perpetual US involvement, for perpetual wars against Iran, reflects Israel’s aim for unchallenged dominance,” Toossi explained.
The divergence highlights a growing tension between Trump’s America First base, which opposes foreign interventions, and pro-Israel donors and hawks who advocate for stronger US involvement. Figures such as Tucker Carlson and Steve Bannon have criticised further military engagement, while Republican leaders and donors remain largely supportive of Israel’s stance.
Think tank executive Trita Parsi argued that Israel’s strategy involves “shifting the goal posts” to ensure ongoing confrontation with Iran. He warned that Netanyahu’s push for missile-focused strikes could draw the US into repeated cycles of conflict. “The Israelis will constantly shift the goal posts in order to make sure that they can make the confrontation with Iran an endless, forever war,” Parsi said.
Israel’s supporters, including the American Israel Public Affairs Committee (AIPAC), have emphasised the missile threat, estimating that Iran retains around 1,500 missiles despite losses during Israel’s Operation Rising Lion. Senator Lindsey Graham, a close Trump ally, echoed concerns, warning that Iran’s missile production could overwhelm Israel’s Iron Dome defence system.
Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz has also stressed vigilance, stating that Israel will not tolerate existential threats in the region. His remarks referenced the Hamas-led attacks of October 2023, underscoring Israel’s determination to prevent similar scenarios.
Critics, however, contend that Israel’s ultimate goal is to weaken Iran through periodic strikes or even regime change, rather than simply addressing security threats. Parsi cautioned that repeated confrontations could escalate uncontrollably, especially if Iran responds more forcefully than it did during the June conflict.
Trump’s political calculations are complicated by domestic pressures. While donors may push for stronger action, his voter base remains wary of foreign wars. Analysts suggest this tension will intensify as the 2026 midterm elections approach, with Trump balancing competing demands from supporters and financiers.
The US president has previously portrayed himself as a peacemaker, citing his role in brokering a Gaza truce and claiming to have brought unprecedented stability to the Middle East. His administration’s National Security Strategy describes the region as “emerging as a place of partnership, friendship, and investment,” signalling a reduced strategic focus.
Whether Trump will resist Netanyahu’s calls for further strikes remains uncertain. Analysts warn that another round of bombardment could prove harder to contain, potentially dragging Washington into a prolonged conflict that runs counter to Trump’s stated foreign policy goals.
