The latest exchange between Iran and Israel raises a fundamental question: Who is really driving events in the Middle East – Washington or Jerusalem? Following Israeli strikes on targets in Beirut, Lebanon, Iran responded with strikes against northern Israel and military facilities around Haifa. Israel then immediately retaliated by attacking Tehran, Tabriz, Karaj and Isfahan. While the ceasefire between the United States and Iran is technically in place, the broader regional conflict continues to intensify. Throughout the crisis, President Donald Trump has repeatedly expressed support for de-escalation and urged all parties to avoid a wider war. Yet events on the ground suggest that Washington’s desire for stability may not necessarily translate into restraint by its closest ally. The current crisis […]
This article was sourced from Middle East Monitor.
Read Full Article on Middle East Monitor →![United States President Donald Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu hold a joint press conference in the East Room at the White House in Washington, D.C., United States on February 04, 2025. [Celal Güneş - Anadolu Agency]](https://www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/02/AA-20250205-36957803-36957784-DONALD_TRUMP_BENJAMIN_NETANYAHU_JOINT_PRESS_CONFERENCE_IN_WASHINGTON_DC.jpg)
