Trump aides foresee Iran endgame divide: "Israel doesn't hate the chaos"

President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu speak almost daily and appear closely aligned, but U.S. officials warn their war objectives with Iran may diverge as the conflict continues. While Trump aims to degrade Iran's military and nuclear capabilities before declaring victory, Netanyahu is pursuing broader regime-change goals including assassinations of Iranian leadership—a difference that surfaced when Israel bombed Iranian oil storage tanks without U.S. approval. A White House official stated bluntly: "Israel doesn't hate the chaos. We do...Netanyahu? Not so much," highlighting friction over stabilizing global oil markets versus maximalist Israeli aims. The tension became public when National Counterterrorism Center director Joe Kent resigned Tuesday, accusing Israel of goading Trump into an unnecessary war—a political liability the administration acknowledges. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth said the U.S. will unilaterally determine when American military objectives are met, signaling Washington may wind down operations before Netanyahu achieves his full agenda.