Are US and Israel aligned on Iran war? Deciphering Trump’s post after gas field attacks
Deciphering Trump’s Post on Iran War: Are US and Israel Truly Aligned?
Following strikes on a crucial gas field jointly owned by Iran and Qatar, US President Donald Trump made a sharply worded remark on his Truth Social platform. The attack, carried out by Israel, targeted Iran’s South Pars field—a key component of the world’s largest natural gas reserve. In response, Tehran retaliated by bombing an energy complex in Qatar, causing energy prices to rise and intensifying Trump’s frustration.
Trump claimed the US was unaware of the Israeli operation, a statement that contrasts with reports from Israeli media. Yedioth Ahronoth, a centrist outlet, noted that the attack was “co-ordinated in advance with the United States” and “agreed upon between Prime Minister Netanyahu and President Trump.” Meanwhile, the right-leaning Israel Hayom suggested Trump had “discussed the upcoming Israeli strike” with leaders from three Persian Gulf states over the weekend.
Trump’s phrasing of the Israeli strike is noteworthy. He described it as Israel “violently lashing out” in “anger,” a label typically reserved for Iran’s more unpredictable actions. This choice of language hints at a possible critique of Israel’s decision-making, despite their long-standing alliance. However, the president’s use of all caps in the post was minimal, with only one instance: “NO MORE ATTACKS WILL BE MADE BY ISRAEL pertaining to this extremely important and valuable South Pars Field,” he wrote, “unless Iran unwisely decides to attack a very innocent, in this case Qatar.”
Trump’s Words: Control or Contradiction?
“Does anyone really think that someone can tell President Trump what to do?” Netanyahu asked, emphasizing the unity between himself and the US leader. He framed the attack as an independent move, while Trump’s demand for restraint suggests a potential shift in the partnership’s dynamics.
Israeli officials, however, stress their shared objectives. The embassy’s London spokesman, Alex Gandler, told the BBC, “We are very much aligned on most or all of our goals regarding the Islamic regime in Iran, the IRGC, their ballistic and nuclear programmes,” and “We want the same thing.” Yet, Israel’s focus on regime change appears more consistent than the US’s approach, which has centered on weakening Iran’s military capabilities.
Netanyahu has long advocated for toppling the Islamic regime, which he and many Israelis view as a threat to the Jewish state. While the US has concentrated on attacking Iran’s naval forces and coastal targets, Israel has prioritized eliminating key figures and disrupting state structures, such as paramilitary Basij units that enforce repression during protests. This divergence in strategy raises questions about the depth of US-Israel coordination, even as both nations remain united in their broader war aims.
