It may be tempting to blame Israel for Donald Trump’s decision to go to war against Iran. “It is clear that we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby,” he said. But his decision to go to war against Iran was also the fulfilment of an ambition cherished for decades within both parties on Capitol Hill. Israel’s war aims in Iran are distinct from those of the US and Netanyahu almost certainly has a stronger appetite than Trump for prolonging the conflict. But blaming Israel for the US action in Iran risks letting Trump and his administration off the hook for their reckless and unlawful decision to go to war.

Source: The Irish Times March 26, 2026 07:10 UTC