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

Axios
March 18, 2026
3 min read

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Trump administration officials say the U.S. and Israel have conflicting interests regarding Iran policy and regional stability.

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Trump administration officials believe the U.S. and Israel have divergent interests regarding Iran's future, with some aides suggesting Israel benefits from regional instability rather than seeking a definitive resolution to the Iranian threat. The disagreement reflects competing strategic priorities: the Trump administration appears focused on constraining Iran's nuclear and military capabilities, while Israeli leadership may prefer to maintain leverage through ongoing tension rather than pursue a negotiated settlement. This split could complicate efforts to forge a unified approach to Iran policy, particularly if the White House pursues diplomatic pressure while Israel pursues military or covert options. The divide underscores deeper questions about whether the U.S.-Israel alliance on Iran will remain coordinated as the Trump administration charts its Middle East strategy during the president's second term.

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