Trump shouldn’t blame Israel for the ceasefire skirmish

President Trump, visibly angry, told reporters before he headed to today’s Nato summit that he was displeased with both [Israel and Iran], especially Israel as it ‘unloaded’ on Tehran right after he declared a ceasefire. Israel did unleash a thunderous final salvo against Iran in the final moments before the ceasefire went into effect. But this is a common practice in conflicts in the region, and has been the case during multiple rounds of fighting between Israel, Hamas, and Hezbollah. Israel’s entire Operation Rising Lion against Iran has been conducted in much of the same manner—relying on targeted precision airstrikes focused on degrading military assets and decapitating Iran’s leadership. President Trump wants to be seen as a dealmaker and peacemaker. He likely was concerned that after he greenlighted Israel’s military operation against Iran and bombed its nuclear facilities himself, that another Israeli display of strength risked making a peaceful solution impossible. But in the conflict between Israel and Iran, peace is not on the menu. There are limits to what can be achieved between the two countries diplomatically. The Islamic Republic is ideologically committed to the destruction of the State of Israel. This is a core pillar of the regime. This enmity will continue irrespective of a ceasefire. From Tehran’s perspective, it is not ‘peace’ but a tactical pause.