With tensions rising in the Middle East and nuclear negotiations with Iran at a standstill, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has been working behind the scenes to lay the groundwork for a potential war with Iran. His dramatic appeals and rhetoric have been aimed at no one else but the President of the United States, Donald Trump, who has shown a keen interest in taking a tough stance against Iran. With their shared goal of dismantling Iran’s nuclear capabilities, Netanyahu has been strategically positioning himself to influence Trump’s decision-making and potentially lead the US into a conflict with Iran.
Netanyahu has not been shy about his stance on Iran, calling them a “dark, murderous regime” and consistently warning the world about the danger of a nuclear-armed Iran. However, it wasn’t until Trump took office in 2017 that Netanyahu saw an opportunity to turn his words into action. With the US being one of Israel’s closest allies, Netanyahu knew that influencing Trump’s decision on Iran would have significant implications for the region.
One of the key ways Netanyahu has been laying the groundwork for Trump to back a war with Iran is through his speeches and public statements. In September 2018, Netanyahu took to the podium at the United Nations General Assembly to deliver a speech filled with dramatic appeals and visuals, including a prop of a map showing alleged secret nuclear sites in Iran. He urged the international community to take a strong stance against Iran and called on them to join the US in imposing tough sanctions. This speech was directly aimed at Trump, who has also been a vocal critic of the Iran nuclear deal and has long been advocating for stronger sanctions against the country.
Netanyahu’s rhetoric continued in April 2019 when he announced that Israel had discovered a secret Iranian nuclear facility in violation of the 2015 nuclear agreement. This revelation further fueled Trump’s belief that the deal was flawed and gave him more reason to consider taking military action against Iran.
But it’s not just through speeches that Netanyahu has been trying to persuade Trump. He has also been using other channels to get his message across. In May 2019, Netanyahu reportedly shared intelligence with the US that suggested Iran was planning attacks on American interests in the region. This information, along with Netanyahu’s continuous warnings about Iran’s nuclear ambitions, has been instrumental in shaping Trump’s perception of Iran and potentially influencing his decision to take a tougher stance against them.
Furthermore, Netanyahu has been making strategic visits to countries that have a significant influence on Trump’s decision-making, such as Russia and China. In 2019, he traveled to Moscow to meet with President Putin, where he once again highlighted the threat of a nuclear-armed Iran. This meeting was seen as an attempt to gain Russia’s support in pressuring Iran and potentially gaining their support for a military strike.
In addition, Netanyahu has been working closely with the Trump administration to gather support from other countries. In August 2019, Israel successfully convinced Britain to join the US-led coalition to protect shipping in the Persian Gulf, which was seen as a step towards building an international coalition against Iran.
By laying the groundwork for a potential war with Iran, Netanyahu has not only strengthened his ties with Trump but also with other influential countries. He has successfully portrayed Iran as a significant threat to global security and has gained the attention and support of the US, Russia, and other world leaders. Netanyahu’s efforts have also been evident in the recent decision by Trump to withdraw from the 2015 nuclear deal and impose further sanctions on Iran, which has brought the two countries even closer in their shared goal of dismantling Iran’s nuclear capabilities.
However, Netanyahu’s actions and dramatic appeals have not been without criticism. Many argue that his hardline stance against Iran has only escalated tensions in the region and that a war with Iran would have catastrophic consequences. Some also question his motives, with some claiming that he is using the threat of Iran to divert attention from domestic issues and gain political support.
In conclusion, it is clear that Netanyahu has been strategically laying the groundwork for Trump to back a potential war with Iran, with the shared goal of dismantling Iran’s nuclear capabilities. His dramatic appeals and influence over Trump have played a significant role in shaping the US’s stance on Iran, and his efforts have been successful in gaining support from other countries. However, only time will tell if this path will lead to a full-blown war with Iran and the potential consequences it may bring.
