Netanyahu Asks Trump to Delay Iran War for Better Israeli Optics
President Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu are reportedly coordinating on Iran, with Netanyahu asking Trump to delay military action. This isn't newfound caution, but a familiar playbook. Remember 2002, 2006, 2014? Netanyahu has consistently called for, and then “reluctantly” agreed to “delays” on, military action against Iran, a strategy often followed by increased pressure or escalation once
Israel’s readiness is optimized. The call comes as Mossad chief David Barnea heads to Miami, not Saudi Arabia, for 'consultations'—an interesting choice of venue for regional stability talks. One might wonder if this 'delay' is less about peace and more about ensuring any U.S. strike optimally serves Israeli strategic objectives. After all, when Steve Witkoff (who spoke at the Israeli-American
Council) discusses a 'diplomatic solution' involving Iran eliminating its entire ballistic missile program and proxies, it sounds less like negotiation and more like an unconditional surrender demand. How many times must one nation ask another to 'hold off' on war only to ramp up the threats moments later?