On Tuesday, Donald Trump will preside over a very different high-stakes meeting in the Situation Room. His first NSC meeting should be to discuss the worsening Israel-Iran conflict with his senior national security advisors. This meeting comes on the heels of Trump’s provocative statements regarding Iranian leader Ali Khamenei and the Iranian government’s position against Israel.
Trump opened up about his fears of missile strikes in a recent Truth Social rant. His argument centered around how these attacks endanger innocents, and by extension, American troops. He stated, “We don’t want missiles shot at civilians, or American soldiers. Our patience is wearing thin.” His remarks do point to a possible new direction in U.S. policy toward a much more aggressive posture if not all-out hostility in support of Israel.
In an accompanying post, Trump unveiled a specific threat to Khamenei’s life. He referred to the Iranian leader as an “easy target,” suggesting that Soleimani’s personal security would be threatened. “He is an easy target as a Floridan, but he’s safe in Cambridge,” he said. “We’re not going to give him the boot, or at least not right now.” As reported in the Wall Street Journal, Trump recently nixed an Israeli plot to kill Khamenei. Last week’s decision highlights a major question about U.S. complicity in Israel’s military actions.
Trump’s latest comments imply that the U.S. is prepared to threaten direct military intervention as it aligns itself with Israel’s ongoing efforts to counteract Iranian influence. He called for an “UNCONDITIONAL SURRENDER!” from Tehran in their war against Israel. This demand has further fueled the already high inflammatory rhetoric surrounding U.S.-Iran relations.
The former president’s abrupt return to Washington, D.C., from Canada, where he attended a meeting of the Group of Seven nations, underscores the urgency of the situation. On the return flight, Trump addressed the media on Air Force One. He underlined the need for a strong overall response to Iranian provocations.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed claims of any rift with Trump over military approaches towards Iran. He said, “I would not jump to conclusions,” about their talks. He suggested that overall, the partnership remains deeply robust, even as the two countries might diverge on some tactics.
The Trump administration has previously maintained that it is not directly involved in what Israel describes as a preemptive strike against Iran. Based on Trump’s recent rhetoric, we might now be entering a phase where the administration takes the lead in proactively confronting these threats from Tehran.
Tensions are escalating across the region. His first meeting with his entire national security team could well determine what U.S. policy looks like going forward. The result of this debate will have important ramifications for U.S.-Iran relations, for Israel’s military strategy and long-term security interests as well.