Netanyahu seeks Trump’s green light for potential strikes on Iran, Lebanon, analysts say

Israeli political analysts report that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is seeking approval from U.S. President Donald Trump to launch new military operations in the region, particularly targeting Iran and Lebanon.

Ahead of a planned meeting between Netanyahu and Trump on December 29 in Florida, Israeli media reports have increasingly focused on the possibility of an Israeli strike on Iran and potential escalation in Lebanon, Caliber.Az reports per Türkiye Today.

The reports highlight differing views within Netanyahu’s government. Some officials have called for renewed attacks on Gaza, while Trump is reportedly pushing to advance a plan to resolve the conflict there.

Maariv newspaper analyst Avi Ashkenazi said, “the winds of war have begun to blow in the region,” adding that the key question is not whether a war will start, but when. Ashkenazi cited remarks by Israeli Chief of Staff Eyal Zamir, who warned that Israel could strike Iran again.

He added that Trump appears determined to resolve the Gaza issue and does not want domestic Israeli political figures such as National Security Minister Itamar Ben-Gvir or Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich to derail that effort.

Ashkenazi further suggested that Trump views Syria as a potential economic asset for the United States due to its mineral resources and is determined to establish a new system there. Regarding Lebanon, he said Trump may allow Israel to continue operations in southern Lebanon, provided the situation does not spiral out of control.

On Iran, Ashkenazi described the country as “the main unresolved issue on the regional ‘chessboard,’” noting that Tehran has temporarily halted its nuclear programme while rebuilding its defence capabilities, particularly air defence systems. He said Israel has destroyed about 50% of Iran’s missile and rocket arsenal, pushing Tehran into an intensified arms buildup focused on missiles and drones.

He added, “Israel is ready to strike Iran but needs a green light from Trump and would likely want the U.S. military as a key partner in such an operation.”

Lebanon, Gaza, then Iran

Channel 14 analyst Tamir Morag said there is growing concern in Israel that gains from previous operations against Iran could erode over time, particularly if Tehran restores its military capabilities to launch large-scale ballistic missile attacks that could threaten Israel’s air defence systems.

Morag said Netanyahu is expected to discuss the possibility of new attacks on Iran with Trump, noting uncertainty over whether the U.S. would take an active or limited role, or simply approve Israeli action.

He added that the sequence of potential conflicts remains unclear but suggested that Lebanon would likely be the next flashpoint, followed by Gaza and then Iran. Morag also claimed that launching three rounds of attacks against Iran across three fronts in 2026 is “within the realm of possibility.”

By Aghakazim Guliyev