The strikes, which occurred amid stalled U.S.-led nuclear talks, have been viewed as a snub to Trump, who had urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to hold off.
U.S. President Donald Trump’s vision of global peace suffered a major setback Thursday as Israeli forces launched a sweeping attack on Iranian targets, threatening to ignite a regional conflict.
The strikes, which occurred amid stalled U.S.-led nuclear talks, have been viewed as a snub to Trump, who had urged Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to hold off.
“Trumpian diplomacy is one of the first casualties of these attacks,” said Brett Bruen, former Obama adviser.
U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff had worked to prevent escalation, but talks deadlocked.
“This is a disaster of Trump and Netanyahu’s own making,” said Senator Chris Murphy.
Though the White House and Israeli officials have yet to respond, experts say the strikes could invite retaliation from Tehran, threatening U.S. assets in the region.
“If tonight’s strikes were the first round… Iran’s regime is now knee-deep in a potentially existential, life-or-death moment,” said analyst Charles Lister.