QUALITY EDUCATION / After Taullau's invitation, Merkel takes the first bus to visit Kazma's school!

 Kliko këtu për të tjera
Voxpress:

How Donald Trump led the US towards war with Iran: Secret conversations in the "Situation Room" revealed, who was against it

2026-04-08 19:28:41Kosova&Bota SHKRUAR NGA REDAKSIA VOX
Donald Trump

In a series of Situation Room meetings, President Donald Trump pitted his instincts against the vice president's deep concerns and a pessimistic assessment of intelligence. The New York Times recounts how he made a decision with far-reaching consequences for the entire world.

The president's decision to greenlight joining Israel in an attack on Iran was influenced by a presentation by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in February, which opened a series of discussions within the White House over the following days and weeks.

The black SUV carrying Netanyahu arrived at the White House shortly before 11:00 a.m. on February 11. The Israeli leader, who had been pressuring the U.S. for months to approve a major offensive against Iran, was unceremoniously ushered inside, away from the media spotlight, for one of the most important moments of his career.

First, American and Israeli officials gathered in the Cabinet Room, adjacent to the Oval Office. Then, Netanyahu went downstairs for the main event: a top-secret briefing on Iran for Trump and his team in the “Situation Room,” a space rarely used for such meetings with foreign leaders.

Trump did not sit in the usual spot at the head of the table. He chose a seat in front of the large screens on the wall, while Netanyahu sat across from him. The screen showed David Barnea, the director of Mossad, along with Israeli military officials, creating the image of a wartime leader surrounded by his team.

Key figures including Marco Rubio, Pete Hegseth, Dan Caine and John Ratcliffe attended the meeting. Vice President JD Vance, who was in Azerbaijan, was absent.

Netanyahu's presentation, which lasted about an hour, would prove crucial in setting the US and Israel on a path to a major conflict in one of the world's most volatile regions. He suggested that Iran was "ready" for regime change and that a joint operation could end the Islamic Republic.

At one point, the Israelis showed a video of possible figures who could take over the country after the regime's fall, including Reza Pahlavi.

According to the Israeli plan, Iran's ballistic missile program could be destroyed within weeks. The regime would be so weakened that it would be unable to block the Strait of Hormuz, and the reaction to American interests would be minimal. Mossad also believed that internal protests would be reignited and could lead to the overthrow of the regime.

Trump reacted positively. “That sounds good to me,” he told Netanyahu, a strong signal that the decision was almost made.

But a day later, American intelligence gave a much more skeptical assessment. In another Situation Room meeting, John Ratcliffe called the regime change scenario a “farce.” Rubio summed it up more bluntly: “So it’s stupid.”

The American analysis divided the plan into four objectives: the elimination of Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, the weakening of Iran's military, a popular uprising, and regime change. Only the first two were considered realistic.

Trump did not waver. He remained focused on military objectives, leaving regime change as “their problem.”

General Dan Caine warned of serious risks: a lack of weapons, difficulties in securing the Strait of Hormuz, and unpredictable consequences. But he stopped short of a direct rebuttal.

Within the cabinet, opinions were divided. Hegseth was the strongest supporter of the war. Rubio was undecided. While Vance was the strongest opponent, warning of regional chaos, high costs and political consequences.

Vance argued that a war would be “a huge distraction” and “incredibly costly.” He warned that Iran could react unpredictably and block Hormuz, causing a global energy crisis.

However, no one directly challenged the president.

In late February, new intelligence changed everything: Iranian leaders would gather in a single location, an ideal target for an air strike.

Diplomacy continued in parallel, but without success. Iran rejected the compromise offers, calling them humiliating.

On February 26, at a final meeting, Trump asked for everyone's opinion. Vance said, "I think it's a bad idea, but I'll support you." The others left the decision up to the president.

Rubio summed it up clearly: if the goal is regime change, it shouldn't be done. But destroying military capabilities was doable.

In the end, Trump decided. "I think we should do it," he said.

The next day, from Air Force One, 22 minutes before the deadline, he gave the final order: "Operation Epic Fury is approved. No cancellation. Success."


Në përputhje me standarded JTI

Video

SHIKO KANALIN NE YOUTUBE
×