TEL AVIV — Just days ago, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu appeared to be at the peak of regional power. After U.S. airstrikes on Iran’s nuclear sites, a confident Israel believed it had crippled Tehran’s capabilities and opened a path back to normalization talks with Arab nations like Saudi Arabia.
But within 48 hours, the campaign’s momentum collapsed — not from Iran’s resistance, but from Donald Trump’s unexpected rebuke of Israel and an abrupt U.S.-brokered ceasefire that halted further attacks.
Trump Blasts Israel for Breaking Iran Ceasefire: “They Don’t Know What the F*ck They’re Doing”
Trump’s Praise Turns to Public Fury
Following the U.S. strikes on Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan, Trump had lavished praise on Netanyahu and the Israel Defense Forces (IDF).
“We worked as a team like perhaps no team has ever worked before,” Trump said Sunday. “We’ve gone a long way to erasing this horrible threat to Israel.”
But Iran’s retaliatory missile strike on a U.S. base in Qatar on Monday night triggered a bizarre pivot. Instead of escalating, Trump announced a ceasefire — and shortly after, began berating Israel for allegedly violating it.
Ceasefire Chaos: “You Don’t Know What the F*ck You’re Doing”
As Israeli jets responded to missile fire from Iran on Tuesday morning, Trump lashed out on the White House lawn:
“Israel just went out because they felt the deal was violated by one rocket that didn’t land anywhere… I’m not happy about that, Israel.”
Trump took to Truth Social, demanding Israeli planes return mid-flight:
“ISRAEL is not going to attack Iran… All planes will turn around while doing a friendly ‘Plane Wave’ to Iran.”
He later fumed:
“We basically have two countries that have been fighting so long and so hard that they don’t know what the f*ck they’re doing.”
Israel’s Military Achievements Still Stand
Despite the chaotic political fallout, Israel scored major military victories:
- Top nuclear scientists and IRGC leaders eliminated
- Three major nuclear facilities severely damaged
- Hundreds of Iranian drones and missiles neutralized
“Israel humiliated Iran with its extremely successful military campaign,” said Michael Makovsky, CEO of JINSA.
It was a stark message to Iran and the world: direct strikes on Iran are no longer taboo, and Israel can reach any target — anywhere.
How Much Damage Was Really Done?
Yet questions linger. Did Israel and the U.S. truly cripple Iran’s nuclear capabilities?
- According to U.S. Central Command, the strikes may have set Iran back by months, not years.
- Experts say Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile, possibly stored in underground tunnels near Isfahan, may have survived the strikes.
- IAEA reports suggest Tehran maintained redundancy in its nuclear infrastructure for this very reason.
“Even if Fordow, Natanz, and Isfahan were obliterated, Iran likely has the parts to rebuild — it’ll just take time,” noted Jonathan Ruhe of the Gemunder Center for Defense & Strategy.
Israel’s New Dilemma: Strike Again or Stand Down?
Going forward, Israel faces a strategic bind:
- Iran will likely rebuild, quietly and quickly.
- Any new Israeli strikes may invite massive missile retaliation, further disrupting civilian life and international travel.
- Trump, eager to uphold the ceasefire, may block further action — even if provoked.
This is a return to a familiar pattern for Israel: tactical victories followed by diplomatic constraints imposed by its closest ally.
What Comes Next: The Road to 2029
While Iran’s nuclear progress has been disrupted, its ambitions remain. As long as the Islamic regime survives, so too will the nuclear threat.
Trump has promised that Iran will not get a nuclear weapon on his watch — but his unpredictable diplomacy may hinder rather than help Israel’s efforts.
And beyond Trump, 2029 brings a new U.S. president, who may take a very different approach. Israel knows that the nuclear issue is far from resolved — and that it may face this same threat again in just a few years.
Conclusion: Military Might Meets Political Limits
Israel’s recent campaign proved its military strength and intelligence dominance. But the abrupt ceasefire, and Trump’s very public fury, have weakened Israel’s freedom to act.
The nuclear threat from Iran may have been delayed, not destroyed. Now more than ever, Israel must prepare for the long game — one that may depend less on bombs and more on diplomacy, deterrence, and sustained international pressure.