Netanyahu Presses Trump To Target Iran’s Missile Program, Testing U.S. ‘America First’ Shift

Washington, D.C. — Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is expected to press President Donald Trump this week for further action against Iran, shifting the emphasis from Tehran’s nuclear program to its missile capabilities during a face-to-face meeting at Mar-a-Lago.

In June, the United States launched strikes against Iranian nuclear sites after warnings from Israeli officials. Although the Trump administration has presented those strikes as having degraded Tehran’s nuclear capacity, Israeli leaders and some U.S. allies now argue that Iran’s missile program poses a renewed and urgent threat that must be confronted.

Why Missiles Are the New Focus

With the nuclear issue publicly framed by Trump as largely addressed, analysts say Israeli policymakers have pivoted to missiles to maintain pressure on Tehran without directly contradicting the U.S. president. Proponents of action argue that Iran is rebuilding and increasing its missile production, which could threaten Israel and regional stability.

“This desire for perpetual U.S. involvement, for perpetual wars against Iran to really break the Iranian state, reflects Israel’s aim for unchallenged dominance, unchallenged hegemony and expansionism,” said Sina Toossi, senior fellow at the Center for International Policy.

Political Dynamics In Washington

Netanyahu’s push coincides with competing pressures in U.S. politics. Hawkish lawmakers and pro-Israel donors are urging a hard line, while populist, America First voices within Trump’s base — and some influential media figures — oppose new foreign entanglements. Analysts note this creates a tug-of-war for the president ahead of the 2026 midterms.

“The voters don’t want this. The donors — at least a large number of them — want this,” Trita Parsi of the Quincy Institute told Al Jazeera, highlighting the domestic dilemma that could shape any decision to support further strikes.

Security Stakes And Escalation Risks

Israeli officials warn that Iran retains a significant missile inventory despite damage inflicted during recent operations. AIPAC has cited Israeli estimates that roughly 1,500 missiles remain of an earlier stock of about 3,000. U.S. and Israeli hawks argue such numbers could overwhelm defenses over time.

Critics counter that repeated strikes designed to weaken Iran could inflame the region, prompting harsher Iranian retaliation and the risk of a broader, harder-to-control war. After the June exchange, Washington brokered a ceasefire, but analysts warn a repeat campaign might not end as quickly.

“The Iranian response would be much harsher, much quicker,” Parsi warned. “Unless they strike back hard and dispel the view that Iran can be bombed every six months, Iran will become a country targeted every six months.”

What To Watch

Key developments to monitor include Netanyahu’s proposals at Mar-a-Lago, internal White House deliberations, pressure from congressional allies and donors, and public opinion within Trump’s base. How the administration balances strategic restraint with allied commitments will determine whether the dispute escalates or is contained diplomatically.

As the United States signals a strategic pivot to reduce its Middle East footprint in its National Security Strategy, the coming meetings and public statements will test whether that policy shift holds when an ally seeks renewed military engagement.

Bottom line: Netanyahu is pressing for a renewed campaign focused on missiles; Washington faces competing domestic and strategic pressures that will shape whether the United States is drawn back into a widening conflict with Iran.