The Hard Way: Trump Tells Netanyahu to "Finish the Job" if Iran Talks Fail
President Trump has reportedly granted Israel unprecedented backing to destroy Iran’s ballistic missile program, while the U.S. military prepares to provide mid-air refueling and logistical support for a potential long-term campaign.
As diplomatic delegations prepare for a decisive round of negotiations in Geneva this Tuesday, the geopolitical landscape in the Middle East has shifted toward a state of high-alert readiness. Recent reports from American and Israeli sources indicate that President Donald Trump has provided Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu with a definitive green light to target Iran’s ballistic missile infrastructure should current diplomatic efforts collapse. While the White House is officially giving negotiations a final chance, the U.S. military and intelligence communities are simultaneously coordinating with Israel on the logistical requirements for a significant air campaign. This support is expected to include critical aerial refueling for Israeli fighter jets and securing flight corridors over third-party nations, marking a transition from economic pressure to direct operational military preparation.
Strategic Coordination and Military Support
The discussions within the U.S. defense establishment have moved beyond the theoretical possibility of an Israeli strike and are now focused on the practicalities of a sustained operation. According to intelligence sources, the U.S. is considering providing the Israel Defense Forces with the necessary tools to reach and dismantle Iran’s "underground missile cities." The intended targets include long-range missile stockpiles, solid-fuel production plants, and precision-guided component factories, aiming to paralyze Iranian production for years. Furthermore, the plan involves the complete neutralization of Iran’s remaining advanced air defense systems, such as the S-300, to ensure total air superiority.
Prime Minister Netanyahu, who recently convened a high-level security cabinet meeting upon his return from the United States, remains deeply skeptical of the Iranian regime's intentions. During a speech to the Conference of Presidents of Major American Jewish Organizations in Jerusalem, Netanyahu detailed his disagreements with the President. "Trump thinks that because the Iranians feel they missed a deal last time, this time they want one. I am very skeptical. I told him the Iranians are lying," Netanyahu stated. He emphasized that any acceptable deal must include the dismantling of the nuclear program, the destruction of all ballistic missiles, and an end to all support for terrorist activities through proxies.
The Duel of Diplomacy and Force
The American approach appears to be a multi-dimensional strategy designed to either secure a comprehensive deal or build international legitimacy for a massive strike. Diplomatic sources suggest that Washington may be buying time to position assets, such as the USS Gerald Ford aircraft carrier, which is expected to arrive in the region within a month. Trump has openly explored the possibility of "rapid regime change" as an alternative to a prolonged war, recently remarking that such an outcome "might be the best thing that could happen."
On the ground, Secretary of State Marco Rubio clarified the administration's stance, noting that while the current focus is on negotiations, the shift to military action will be unmistakable if talks fail. "We are dealing with radical Shiite clerics who make geopolitical decisions based solely on theology," Rubio remarked. Meanwhile, Iranian officials, including Deputy Foreign Minister Majid Takht-Ravanchi, have insisted that the "ball is in America's court" to prove their sincerity by lifting sanctions. As the USS Gerald Ford moves into position and the Geneva summit looms, the region remains on a knife-edge, with the U.S. military reportedly preparing for a "prolonged operation" that could last weeks if the order to strike is finally given.