Are US and Israel aligned on Iran war? Deciphering Trump’s post after gas field attacks
Trump’s Statement on Iran Conflict: Assessing US-Israel Alignment
Following strikes on a critical gas field shared by Iran and Qatar, Donald Trump, the U.S. president, responded with a sharply worded message. The attacks, which targeted Iran’s South Pars—part of the world’s largest natural gas reserve—and Qatari energy facilities, sparked a surge in energy costs and intensified Trump’s frustration. On his Truth Social platform, he accused Iran of initiating the conflict, claiming unawareness of Israel’s plans. This raises questions about the cohesion between the United States and Israel in their strategic approach to the war with Iran.
Trump’s Claims vs. Media Reports
Trump asserted that the U.S. had “known nothing about this particular attack,” a claim that contradicts Israeli media accounts. The centrist publication Yedioth Ahronoth noted that the strike “was co-ordinated in advance with the United States and… agreed upon between Prime Minister Netanyahu and Trump.” Right-wing outlet Israel Hayom added that “Trump discussed the upcoming Israeli strike in Asaluyeh with leaders of three Persian Gulf states over the weekend.”
“NO MORE ATTACKS WILL BE MADE BY ISRAEL pertaining to this extremely important and valuable South Pars Field,” Trump wrote, “unless Iran unwisely decides to attack a very innocent, in this case Qatar.”
His phrasing, which labels the Israeli strike as “out of anger,” suggests a perception of impulsiveness rather than a premeditated operation. This language mirrors descriptions of Iran’s more aggressive actions, casting doubt on whether Trump views the attack as a calculated move by a trusted ally.
Netanyahu’s Alignment and Strategic Goals
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, in a Thursday evening press conference, echoed Trump’s stance, stating that Israel had “acted alone” in the operation. He emphasized the U.S. president’s directive for “hold off” further strikes, framing the two nations as tightly coordinated. “Does anyone really think that someone can tell President Trump what to do?” he asked, while claiming, “I don’t think any two leaders have been as coordinated as President Trump and I. He’s the leader. I’m, you know, his ally.”
Despite this alignment, Israeli officials highlight a distinction in their objectives. While the U.S. has focused on degrading Iran’s missile and drone capabilities, Israel has prioritized eliminating key figures within the regime and targeting state infrastructure. A source cited in Israeli media stated, “The gas supply to citizens is being shut off, and that will bring the uprising closer.” This underscores Israel’s broader aim of destabilizing Iran’s leadership, a goal that has long been central to Netanyahu’s approach.
