Israel backs US-Iran ceasefire but Netanyahu’s war goals remain unfulfilled

Israel Endorses US-Iran Ceasefire, Yet Netanyahu’s Objectives Remain Unmet

Benjamin Netanyahu, Israel’s prime minister, initiated the US-Israeli military campaign against Iran late in February with optimism. However, the recent acknowledgment of a ceasefire, delivered in a subdued manner by his office, underscored that President Donald Trump had spearheaded the decision. This contrasts sharply with the assertive declarations from both the United States and Iran, which each touted significant triumphs after five weeks of conflict.

In remarks shared on Wednesday, Netanyahu framed the operation as a success but emphasized that the ceasefire marked only a temporary pause. He hinted that further action might be required to fully realize Israel’s strategic aims. The war’s outcome leaves Netanyahu with unmet objectives: Iran’s military forces continue to operate, its leadership structure remains intact, and the nuclear program’s status is unresolved. Despite the loss of high-ranking figures like Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, Iran persists in launching missile attacks toward Israel.

Missile alerts and explosions were reported in Jerusalem overnight, even after Trump’s announcement of a deal. The Israel Defense Forces confirmed multiple Iranian missiles were fired during the conflict. Netanyahu’s initial assertion that the goal was to “end the threat from the Ayatollah regime” appears unfulfilled, as Iran’s leadership and nuclear capabilities remain untouched.

“The snake turned into a hydra,” said Shira Efron, Israel policy chair at the US-based RAND Corporation. She criticized the campaign’s inability to deliver on promises of regime change, noting that the Iranian missile threat and enriched uranium stockpiles persisted.

Opposition leader Yair Lapid called the situation “a political disaster in our entire history,” arguing that Netanyahu failed to secure key national security decisions. “The army did everything they asked of it, the public showed incredible resilience, but Netanyahu failed politically, failed strategically, and did not meet any of the goals he set,” he added.

“Netanyahu promised Israelis this campaign would end the Islamic regime,” said Yossi Kuperwasser, director of the Jerusalem Institute for Strategy and Security. “Yet, the snake turned into a hydra.”

Despite the ceasefire, analysts suggest Netanyahu’s ambitions were only partially realized. While Iran’s nuclear and missile infrastructure faced damage, the country’s core capabilities remain intact. Kuperwasser noted that “practical achievable goals were all completely achieved,” including the destruction of key military assets. However, “wishful goals” like regime change, which were not fully realized, may have strained Israel’s relationship with the US.

With Israel’s election season underway, Netanyahu faces potential political challenges within months. The ceasefire, framed as a US-Iran agreement, has sparked concerns about Israel’s influence in shaping the outcome. As the conflict ends, questions linger about whether the prime minister’s vision for Iran’s defeat was fully attained.