By Micah Jonah
March 1, 2026
President Trump is facing mounting criticism from foreign policy analysts who argue that his sweeping military assault on Iran advances Israeli interests more than American, contradicts his own long-standing opposition to regime-change wars.
Less than a year after denouncing “nation-builders” and interventionist wars in the Middle East, Trump ordered a joint US-Israeli offensive on Iran, framing it as a mission to bring “freedom”,eliminate security threats.
Analysts say that rhetoric mirrors the language once used by former President George W Bush, whom Trump repeatedly criticized for the 2003 Iraq invasion.
“This is, once again, a war of choice launched by the US with a push from Israel,” said Negar Mortazavi of the Center for International Policy; describing the conflict as the culmination of years of pressure from Israeli leadership.
For decades, Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu has warned that Iran is on the brink of acquiring nuclear weapons, a claim Tehran denies, which US officials said lacks evidence of active weaponization. Netanyahu, who supported the Iraq war in 2003, has also raised alarms about Iran’s missile capabilities, arguing they could one day threaten the United States.
Trump echoed similar concerns in his recent State of the Union address, stating that Iran is developing missiles capable of reaching American territory assertions Iran has dismissed.
The strikes came amid renewed diplomatic engagement between Washington and Tehran, with Omani mediators describing recent negotiations as constructive. Some observers believe the escalation undermined potential progress towards a deal.
Jamal Abdi of the National Iranian American Council said the move aligns with Netanyahu’s long-standing objective of preventing a diplomatic resolution between Washington and Tehran. “The start of this war in the middle of negotiations is a success for him,” Abdi said.
The conflict has already triggered retaliatory missile launches across the region, raising fears of a prolonged confrontation. Trump has acknowledged the possibility of US casualties, describing the campaign as a “noble mission” aimed at securing America’s future.
However, public opinion appears divided. Recent polling suggests limited domestic appetite for another major Middle East war, with many Americans wary after prolonged conflicts in Iraq and Afghanistan. Critics within Trump’s own “America First” base have questioned whether Iran poses a direct threat to US territory.
Congresswoman Rashida Tlaib said the administration is “ignoring the vast majority of Americans who say loud and clear: No More Wars.”
As missile exchanges continue and diplomatic channels appear frozen, the debate in Washington is intensifying. Whether the strikes achieve strategic objectives or deepen regional instability may determine not only the trajectory of US foreign policy but also Trump’s political legacy at home.
