Former US Secretary of State John Kerry has revealed that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu repeatedly urged multiple US presidents to launch military strikes against Iran, but only former President Donald Trump agreed to such a course of action.
Speaking in an interview on The Briefing with Jen Psaki on Friday, Kerry shared insights from several high-level discussions he had personally attended with Netanyahu over the years.
Repeated Appeals to US Presidents
According to Kerry, Netanyahu consistently pushed Washington to take direct military action against Iran.
“He wanted us to strike,” Kerry said, emphasizing that the Israeli leader made similar appeals across different US administrations.
Kerry noted that Netanyahu presented his case directly to former President Barack Obama, but the proposal was ultimately rejected. He further stated that other US presidents also declined similar requests.
“President Obama refused. President Joe Biden refused. President George W. Bush refused,” Kerry said. “The only president who has agreed to this, obviously, is President Trump.”
Details of Netanyahu’s Proposal
Kerry described Netanyahu’s argument as a structured and detailed “four-point pitch,” which he said appeared credible based on recent reporting.
According to him, the proposal included claims that a US strike on Iran could:
- Eliminate key Iranian leadership figures
- Trigger regime change within the country
- Weaken or destroy Iran’s military capabilities
These arguments were presented during high-level meetings involving senior US officials, where alternative viewpoints and potential risks were also discussed.
Strategic and Diplomatic Context
The revelations highlight longstanding tensions between Israel and Iran, as well as differing approaches within US administrations on how to handle Tehran. While Israel has often advocated for a more aggressive stance, several US presidents opted for diplomatic or restrained strategies instead.
How Pakistan Brokered a Temporary Truce Between Iran and the US
Kerry’s remarks provide rare insight into behind-the-scenes discussions that shaped US foreign policy decisions regarding Iran, particularly the balance between military action and diplomacy.
Kerry’s statements underscore how US policy toward Iran has varied across administrations, with most leaders rejecting direct military confrontation despite persistent pressure from Israel. The comments also shed light on the complexity of decision-making at the highest levels of international diplomacy.
