As expected, Iran refuses to resume diplomatic negotiations and is proposing preconditions unacceptable to the United States. We are therefore back to square one. President Trump is furious and is not ruling out resuming airstrikes. For now, he is going to Beijing to try to break the deadlock. He prefers to negotiate on equal terms with the Chinese rather than risk being humiliated by the leaders of a rogue state.
Since the horrific massacre of October 7, 2002, Israel has continued its fighting on three military fronts without achieving a viable diplomatic solution, gaining any ground within foreign ministries, or winning the sympathy of public opinion and the media. The reasons for Israel's poor image and our isolation on the international stage are numerous and cannot be attributed solely to Israeli policy. And yet, this is the first time we have conducted a joint military campaign with the United States. During the First Gulf War, we adopted a low profile, strongly imposed by Washington. Subsequently, Saddam Hussein's regime finally fell, and an international conference sponsored by the Soviet Union and the United States was held in Madrid.
For the first time in the history of the Arab-Israeli conflict, direct negotiations were initiated with all Arab delegations, including Palestinians who were not members of the PLO. This diplomatic process had a strong chance of leading to a pragmatic and lasting regional settlement, but it was unfortunately superseded by the Oslo Accords. The fervent desire to achieve peace with Arafat's Palestinians blinded the leaders of the time. The romantic vision of a new, idyllic Middle East, as envisioned by Shimon Peres and Bill Clinton, and the ambitious advisors seeking quick fame, media support, and the Nobel Prize, led Yitzhak Rabin to sign these accords despite widespread reservations and significant risks. The sad outcome is well known… The dream turned into a nightmare. Let us not repeat the same mistakes today.
The war we are currently waging on multiple fronts cannot be concluded without a spectacular military victory. Nor can a peaceful and lasting settlement be achieved without the collapse of the Iranian regime. Therefore, the destruction of their military and nuclear capabilities must continue unabated. The war against an autocratic and terrorist regime is complex, arduous, and protracted. This is especially true given that negotiations to achieve a ceasefire and a robust agreement take many months. Faced with a cunning adversary who schemes, lies, and cheats, guarantees and assurances are necessary for the long term. Every word, every clause must be carefully considered and meticulously drafted. It is therefore crucial to examine all aspects of the issue and all regional and global implications.
In this context, President Trump made a serious mistake by needlessly halting the Twelve Days War launched in June 2025. He also failed to provide a lasting solution on either enriched uranium or ballistic missiles.
Thus, Iran has succeeded in quickly restoring its nuclear capabilities, safeguarding its missiles and strengthening its Shiite satellites and above all has allowed Hezbollah to call the shots in Lebanon, and to dare to attack Israel by all means including kamikaze drones to which the IDF has no adequate response.
Even more seriously, Iran succeeded in changing the nature of the war by closing the Strait of Hormuz. The blockade transformed a regional conflict into a global energy crisis, to the detriment of the United States. It also deepened the differences in interests with Israel and focused attention on freedom of navigation rather than on nuclear weapons and missiles, which remain stored in underground bunkers.
Donald Trump's mismanagement of diplomatic affairs also shook the sense of security in the Gulf Emirates and Saudi Arabia, as well as the fear of losing numerous bilateral contracts signed with the Americans. Conversely, it strengthened their dependence on Israeli capabilities in air defense and intelligence, thus clearly justifying the expansion of the Abraham Accords.
In this context, we should preserve our military strength and our deterrent capabilities while avoiding becoming a vassal state of the United States. The IDF must continue fighting on three fronts while increasing its troop numbers through the mobilization of all citizens. The ultimate goal is to seek peace, but simultaneously to prove to all our enemies and neighbors that we are independent and strong enough to defend ourselves and guarantee our security.
