Israeli Officials Voice Concerns as Iran War Drags On

Some senior Israeli officials are expressing concern as attacks against Iran escalate with no end in sight. They are discussing potential "exit ramps" to halt the war before it inflicts greater damage on the global economy.

It remains too early to discuss the war's "endgame," and the decision to cease attacks rests with U.S. President Donald Trump. Trump has wavered between several scenarios for how the war might conclude. He initially spoke of reaching a deal through negotiations with "reasonable figures" within the regime, but later demanded surrender, saying his preferred negotiating partners had been killed. Like Trump, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has said he will push forward to what he called a "moment of truth" on the 6th.

A senior Israeli official familiar with war planning and strategy shared several important points with me. This official's concern is that war costs continue to mount. Gulf states hit by Iranian missile attacks face growing direct damage, and the global economy confronts surging oil and natural gas prices. Above all, it burdens President Trump himself. The official noted: "I'm not sure fighting until the regime collapses serves our interests."

The official said Israeli and American bombing operations are approaching their military objectives. They have nearly destroyed what remained of Iran's nuclear program after last year's U.S. bombing. Ballistic missile stockpiles, weapons production facilities, and top leadership of military, intelligence, and internal security organizations are also among the targets. When I asked how long it would take to complete this military mission, he did not answer. "We want regime change, but that's not the only outcome," he explained. "Once major military targets are eliminated, Israel will have achieved its objectives."

To be clear, this Israeli official was not speaking on behalf of Prime Minister Netanyahu, who said he wants the next phase of the war to "destabilize the regime and enable change." However, the official's views appear to reflect perspectives shared by some within the defense establishment. They have been frustrated by Netanyahu's insistence on continuing fighting in Gaza without a clear endpoint and remain skeptical of his strategic planning. "We don't see anyone to replace that regime," he said, conveying a view shared by U.S. and Israeli intelligence analysts. He added: "The Iranian regime's centralized command-and-control system is weakening, and there are early signs of internal fractures, but no signals that the system will collapse soon." He also explained that arming Kurds or other minority groups would not be a good strategy, as it could provoke resentment from Iran's majority population.

Israeli defense planners appear to have two other concerns. One is the risk that Prime Minister Netanyahu could order a large-scale ground operation in Lebanon to completely destroy the Iran-backed Hezbollah militia. "We don't want to be dragged into a quagmire," he said. "We are in contact with Lebanese officials and willing to agree to a ceasefire there." He said Israeli ground forces have entered Lebanon to attack remnants of Hezbollah's elite "Radwan Force," but "we are not planning a large-scale ground operation." He mentioned that Israel wants to avoid repeating the ground invasion that pushed all the way to Beirut in 1982.

The second concern raised by this Israeli official is whether Israel can maintain good relations with the United States at a time when both parties are increasingly worried about the alliance. "We will not drag America into an endless war," he argued. "Israel is a reliable ally, not a burden."

President Trump has set a course toward eliminating the Iranian regime. He speaks of creating a "new Iran" that reflects the Iranian people's aspirations for freedom and modern life. Yet there is little visible plan for how to achieve that worthy goal. And he will have to answer the question from the Iraq War era: "How does this end?"