Israels Influence on US Foreign Policy Under Scrutiny Ahead of Iran War Decision

US-Iran Tensions Raise Questions About Israel’s Influence

Analysts in Israel are questioning the country’s ability to shape regional developments as tensions between the US and Iran escalate. Senior Israeli officials, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have been liaising directly with the Trump administration over a possible attack on Iran.

Netanyahu’s government has faced criticism for its handling of various conflicts in the region, including the ongoing war in Gaza. The US now appears to be taking the lead in shaping regional developments, with the White House pushing the Israeli government to reach an accommodation with Damascus and overriding Israel’s objections to the admission of Turkiye and Qatar to the board overseeing the administration of Gaza.

In Syria, Israeli ambitions to hobble the new government of President Ahmed al-Sharaa have fallen foul of Trump’s White House. The US continues to play a defining role in determining Israeli actions in Lebanon, with any possible confrontation between Hezbollah and Israel dependent on Washington’s green light.

Analysts say that Israel’s influence over US action in Iran is uncertain, even to the point where Washington could enter negotiations without regard for Israeli concerns. Some believe that Netanyahu may be seeking a distraction from his domestic troubles, including an inquiry into government failures related to the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack on Israel.

The prospect of a conflict between the US and Iran has raised questions about the potential consequences for Israel. While some analysts believe that a war with Iran would serve as a useful distraction for Netanyahu, others are more cautious. The public appetite for such a confrontation is unclear, but it remains to be seen how much influence Israel will wield in shaping regional developments.

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Source: Al Jazeera