The Next 48 Hours are Critical
"I Will Back the Strike": Trump Pledges Support for Israeli Action Against Iran
President Donald Trump has explicitly backed further Israeli strikes on Iran if they continue their missile program, while also confirming that a presidential pardon for Benjamin Netanyahu is reportedly on the way.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrived at the Mar-a-Lago estate in Florida on Monday for a pivotal meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump to discuss the future of the war and regional security. The summit, their fifth meeting since Trump’s second term began in January 2025, focused on the transition to the next phase of the Gaza ceasefire, potential strikes against Iran, and the precarious situation in southern Lebanon. At the start of the meeting, Trump issued a series of powerful statements, emphasizing that the primary goal is to move to the next stage of the Gaza agreement "as soon as possible" while demanding that the terrorists of Hamas be completely disarmed.
Trump went even further regarding the Iranian threat, stating that he would "definitely" back an Israeli strike on Iran if the regime continues to advance its nuclear and ballistic missile programs. He noted that he has heard reports of Iran attempting to rehabilitate its military power and warned that "if that’s true, we’ll have to dismantle it". Netanyahu is expected to present intelligence evidence showing that Iran has significantly increased its production of ballistic missiles and is working to revive its nuclear program since the "12 Day War".
One of the most surprising moments of the meeting involved Netanyahu’s legal situation in Israel. When asked about a pardon for the Prime Minister, Trump replied, "How can you not give him a pardon? He is a war hero". Trump claimed he had already spoken with President Isaac Herzog, who reportedly said a pardon "is on the way". Netanyahu responded by praising the American leader, stating that Israel has "never had a friend like President Trump, not even close".
Despite the warm public displays, significant tensions remain regarding the timeline for the "Day After" in Gaza and the situation in the West Bank. Trump’s advisors are reportedly pushing for the implementation of an International Stabilization Force (ISF) for Gaza, which Pakistan recently expressed interest in joining. However, Netanyahu is facing pressure at home not to move to Stage B of the ceasefire plan until the body of Ran Gvili, the final fallen hostage still held by terrorists, is returned for burial. Furthermore, White House officials have urged Trump to press Netanyahu on stabilizing the Palestinian Authority and curbing settlement construction, arguing that Israel cannot "choke" the Authority while expecting it to reform.