U.S. Media: U.S. Officials Envision Israel Fighting Iran First, with U.S. Intervening After Iran Retaliates

Odaily News According to a report by Politico, two informed sources revealed that senior advisors to Trump prefer to have Israel initiate combat against Iran before the United States launches an attack. These government officials have privately argued that an Israeli attack would provoke retaliation from Iran, thereby helping to garner support from American voters for U.S. military strikes. Recent polls show that Americans, particularly Republicans, support regime change in Iran but are unwilling to risk American casualties for it. This means that in addition to reasons like the nuclear program, the Trump team is also considering how the attack would be perceived in terms of public opinion. One informed source stated: "There is a view both inside and outside the government that it would be much better politically if the Israelis acted alone first and the Iranians then retaliated against us; that gives us more justification for action." Although the U.S. side hopes Israel will act first, the two informed sources said the most likely scenario remains a joint U.S.-Israel operation.