June 17, 2025 — The political spotlight on U.S. President Donald Trump and Israel intensified this week as escalating tensions with Iran and shifting U.S. foreign policy priorities strain their historically close alliance. Recent events, including Israel’s aggressive military actions and Trump’s diplomatic maneuvers, have sparked debates about the future of U.S.-Israel relations amid a volatile Middle East landscape.
On June 13, Israel launched extensive airstrikes targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities, including the Natanz uranium enrichment site, and military infrastructure, resulting in at least 224 deaths, according to Iranian state media. Trump, in an ABC News interview, described the strikes as “excellent,” reaffirming his support for Israel’s efforts to neutralize Iran’s nuclear ambitions. However, he explicitly ruled out direct U.S. military involvement, stating, “We’re not there yet, but we’re watching.” His June 16 Truth Social post urging Tehran’s 9.5 million residents to evacuate ahead of potential further Israeli attacks underscored his alignment with Israel’s security concerns but drew criticism for escalating panic in Iran. The strikes derailed U.S.-mediated nuclear talks with Iran, scheduled for June 15 in Oman, which Tehran canceled, accusing Israel of sabotaging diplomacy.
Trump’s second term has introduced new complexities to the U.S.-Israel relationship. While his first term saw landmark pro-Israel moves—recognizing Jerusalem as Israel’s capital, affirming the Golan Heights annexation, and brokering the Abraham Accords—recent actions suggest a shift toward broader regional dealmaking. In May, Trump’s Middle East tour to Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE, which excluded Israel, secured $1.8 trillion in economic agreements but sidelined Israeli interests. His negotiations with Hamas, the Houthis, and Iran, conducted without Israeli consultation, have frustrated Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government. “Trump’s acting like Israel’s a junior partner,” wrote analyst Yossi Melman on X, echoing sentiments in Israeli media like Ynet.
Netanyahu, who publicly praised Trump as “Israel’s greatest friend” on June 14, faces domestic backlash over the perceived U.S. pivot. Trump’s envoy, Steve Witkoff, secured the release of U.S.-Israeli hostage Edan Alexander from Hamas without Israeli involvement, prompting opposition leader Yair Lapid to call it a “diplomatic humiliation.” Israel’s ongoing Gaza offensive and plans for West Bank annexation further complicate ties, as Trump has pushed for a Gaza ceasefire while Netanyahu insists on eliminating Hamas. On X, users like @IsraelWarRoom
express concern that Trump’s focus on deals with Iran and Syria undermines Israel’s strategic position.
In the U.S., Trump’s base remains largely pro-Israel, but cracks are emerging. A March 2025 Gallup poll shows 61% of Republicans support Israel, down from 71% in 2022, while Democrats’ support has plummeted to 29%. Influential MAGA figures like Tucker Carlson have questioned unconditional U.S. support, advocating an “America First” approach. Trump’s appointment of Mike Huckabee as ambassador to Israel, a staunch opponent of a two-state solution, signals continued backing for Israel’s right-wing policies. However, his administration’s deportation of foreign students for pro-Palestinian protests and sanctions on anti-Israel activists have sparked accusations of stifling dissent, further polarizing U.S. discourse.
Geopolitically, Trump’s pursuit of a nuclear deal with Iran clashes with Israel’s hardline stance. The U.S. rejected Israeli requests for assistance in strikes on Iran’s fortified Fordo facility, prioritizing diplomacy to cap Iran’s uranium enrichment at 20%. Meanwhile, Trump’s talks with Syria’s new leader, Ahmed al-Sharaa, to join the Abraham Accords, and his lifting of Syrian sanctions have alarmed Israel, which views Syria as a security threat. The International Atomic Energy Agency’s June 12 censure of Iran for nuclear non-compliance, followed by Iran’s announcement of a new enrichment facility, has heightened fears of a broader conflict, with Trump suggesting Russian mediation—a proposal Israel dismisses.
As Israel intensifies its military campaigns, Trump’s balancing act between supporting a key ally and pursuing regional stability tests the U.S.-Israel bond. “The alliance is strong but not unbreakable,” said former U.S. envoy Dennis Ross. With the Middle East on edge, Trump’s next moves—whether doubling down on Israel or prioritizing deals with its adversaries—will define the region’s trajectory and his foreign policy legacy.
