Trump Let Netanyahu Lead the US Into War With Iran — And It’s Backfiring Politically

In a stunning exposé by The New York Times journalists Jonathan Swan and Maggie Haberman, we get a rare inside look at how Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu effectively took over the Situation Room from a distracted and erratic President Donald Trump to push for war against Iran.

On February 11, Netanyahu laid out a confident pitch to Trump and his team, claiming Iran was on the brink of collapse and that a joint US-Israeli campaign could topple the regime quickly. According to the report, Netanyahu asserted that Iran’s missile program could be dismantled in weeks, the Strait of Hormuz would remain open, and Iranian street protests would ignite with Israeli help to overthrow the government.

Trump’s response? “Sounds good to me.” That chillingly casual endorsement underscores how little scrutiny or sober judgment went into the decision to escalate military conflict.

But six weeks later, the picture on the ground is anything but the swift victory Netanyahu promised. Reliable information about the war’s impact on Iran’s leadership, population, and infrastructure remains scarce. The toll on US and Israeli forces is murky, with reports of significant damage to the USS Gerald R Ford and Saudi oil production disruptions emerging only belatedly.

The Strait of Hormuz remains effectively closed, and Iran continues to launch missile and drone strikes on Israel and Gulf states. Both Iran and the US claim victory, but the reality suggests a stalemate at best.

The fallout is not just military but political. Pew Research data shows a sharp decline in American support for Israel, with 60% of US adults now holding an unfavorable view, up from 53% last year. Particularly striking is the shift among Republicans under 50, where unfavorable opinions of Israel have jumped to 57%.

This erosion of support threatens the massive financial and military aid Israel enjoys from the US and signals a profound realignment in American politics. The war, driven by Netanyahu’s hard sell and Trump’s reckless acquiescence, is reshaping US domestic and foreign policy in ways that could have lasting consequences.

What this episode reveals is a disturbing pattern: Trump’s impulsive decision-making combined with foreign influence pushing the US into a costly and unclear conflict. The American public, already skeptical of Israel, is now demanding accountability for a war that seems to serve political distractions more than national security.

We will keep tracking the fallout from this reckless escalation and what it means for US democracy and global stability. Stay tuned.