Kerry Says Netanyahu Repeatedly Urged US to Strike Iran
Kerry Details Longstanding Pressure From Israeli Leadership
Former US Secretary of State John Kerry said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu repeatedly pushed US presidents to carry out military strikes against Iran.
In an interview on The Briefing with Jen Psaki on Friday, Kerry said Netanyahu raised the proposal in multiple discussions with US leaders over the years.
He stated that the Israeli leader directly asked the United States to launch strikes on Iran.
Past US Presidents Rejected Proposal
Kerry said former President Barack Obama rejected the request. He added that Presidents Joe Biden and George W. Bush also declined similar proposals.
He said, however, that only President Donald Trump agreed with the idea of military action.
Kerry described Netanyahu’s proposal as a structured plan that included claims that a strike could weaken Iran’s leadership, trigger regime change, and destroy its military capability.
Kerry Comments on Reported Discussions
Kerry said the details he referred to were based on recent reporting and described them as credible. He added that Netanyahu presented his arguments in meetings with senior US officials, where different policy options were discussed.
Wider Regional Conflict Context
The article references an escalation in conflict between the US, Israel, and Iran beginning on February 28, which led to military strikes and retaliatory attacks across the region.
Iran responded with drone and missile attacks targeting Israel and several neighboring countries, including those hosting US forces. Tehran also restricted shipping in the Strait of Hormuz, increasing regional tension.
Ceasefire Efforts and Ongoing Talks
Pakistan, along with Türkiye, China, Saudi Arabia, and Egypt, helped broker a temporary two-week ceasefire between Washington and Tehran.
Following the agreement, both sides agreed to hold further talks in Islamabad aimed at achieving a longer-term peace settlement.
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