WP: Netanyahu told Trump in meetings that Israel could strike Iran with or without the US

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu repeatedly emphasized, long before the current military campaign began, that his country was prepared to act against Iran regardless of the level of US involvement, The Washington Post reports.

According to the outlet, during in-person meetings with President Donald Trump, the Israeli leader openly stated that Israel could initiate strikes on Iranian military targets either as part of a joint operation with Washington or alone if necessary.

Sources familiar with the contents of the talks say Netanyahu’s position stemmed from his concern that without firm American support, Israel would be unable to convincingly neutralize the threat posed by Iran. He sought Trump’s agreement on coordinated action but made no secret that a US refusal would not stop Israel from addressing its own security.

The outlet notes that this firmness became one of the factors that influenced the Trump administration’s decision to deepen engagement with Tel Aviv in planning and conducting the operation. Such statements by the Israeli prime minister increased pressure on American leadership to consider broader US participation in countering the Iranian threat.

In diplomatic circles, Israel’s open readiness to act autonomously raised concerns as it increased the likelihood of unilateral steps that could broaden the conflict. Nevertheless, Israeli officials emphasized that joint action with Washington remained the preferred strategy, with independent capabilities viewed as a fallback option.