"Netanyahu's Gamble Failed"... Hopes Pinned on Potential Collapse of U.S.-Iran Negotiations

Analysts suggest that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who launched attacks on Iran alongside the United States, is facing a crisis both at home and abroad after effectively failing to achieve his war objectives.

The British daily Financial Times pointed out on the 21st (local time) that Israel's "gamble" to achieve regime change in Iran through this war has failed.

The newspaper analyzed that Israel pushed for the war under the assumption that the Iranian regime would soon collapse following anti-government protests that emerged early this year. However, these expectations were off the mark, and the Iranian regime's position has actually become more solidified.

Dan Shapiro, former U.S. Ambassador to Israel, criticized U.S. President Donald Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu, stating, "They were too greedy." He added, "They were blinded by hubris and misjudged the goals they could actually achieve."

As the U.S. and Israel have failed to produce clear results and have entered into ceasefire negotiations, public opinion within Israel is deteriorating further.

According to a poll by Israel's Channel 12, only 11% of Israelis believe their country won the war, and only 13% responded that they trust President Trump to protect Israel's interests in the future.

It remains uncertain whether the Likud party, to which Prime Minister Netanyahu belongs, and his right-wing coalition will even be able to secure a parliamentary majority in the upcoming general election in October.

Nadav Strauchler, an Israeli political strategist, told the Financial Times, "The blow dealt to Prime Minister Netanyahu by the U.S.-Iran agreement is by no means small," adding, "If an election were held tomorrow, he would face significant difficulties."

Furthermore, it is reported that Prime Minister Netanyahu's relationship with President Trump, once his strongest ally, has recently soured.

The friction stems from conflicting interests: President Trump wants to end the war quickly and withdraw from the Middle East, while Prime Minister Netanyahu wants to continue the conflict.

In a recent media interview, President Trump took a jab at Prime Minister Netanyahu, saying, "He doesn't have the final say," and it was reported that earlier this month, he even shouted at the Prime Minister over the phone, using profanity.

Facing both internal criticism and pressure from the U.S. to end the war, Prime Minister Netanyahu finds his room for maneuver extremely limited.

Ultimately, some point out that from Prime Minister Netanyahu's perspective, he has no choice but to hope for the possibility that future negotiations between the U.S. and Iran will collapse and the war will resume.

Miki Zohar, the Minister of Culture and Sport from the Likud party, hinted at the possibility of negotiations with Iran falling through in a recent radio interview, stating, "President Trump and Prime Minister Netanyahu will bring us a few more surprises before the October general election."
※ Please note: This article was translated by AI and may contain errors.