Between Netanyahu's Pressures and Trump's Calculations: The 'Dual Aggression' War at a Crossroads

The intensity of Israeli statements regarding the duration of the current military confrontation is escalating, with Security Minister Israel Katz affirming that there is no time limit for ongoing operations until declared objectives are achieved. These positions reflect a clear desire by Benjamin Netanyahu's government to leverage American involvement to the maximum extent possible, in an attempt to definitively resolve the conflict with Iran.

In contrast, a sense of caution emerges among other political circles, fearing fluctuations in the American stance, especially as President Trump approaches crucial decisions to end the war. Sources indicate that Netanyahu, who has pushed for this confrontation for decades, realizes that the keys to a ceasefire are now solely in the hands of the White House, which explains his frantic efforts to impose new realities on the ground.

The scope of the conflict has expanded to include approximately 15 countries in the region, in a confrontation described as the largest since World War II in terms of geopolitical impact. Despite assassinations and intense bombardment, observers believe that the war has not yet achieved its strategic goals, prompting the aggressors to resort to more violence to compensate for the failure to achieve tangible results.

The American administration finds itself facing two equally bitter choices: either to proceed with military escalation on the principle of 'what does not come by force comes by more of it,' or to declare victory and withdraw immediately. Trump appears to be gradually leaning towards the second option to avoid sliding into an 'endless war,' a slogan he has consistently raised in his election campaigns against his predecessors.

On the military front, extreme American proposals emerge, including the possibility of limited ground operations aimed at occupying the Iranian island of 'Kharg' in the Gulf. This island is the vital artery of the Iranian economy, as it exports about 90% of its oil, which some see as a final means of pressure to impose surrender terms on Tehran.

Domestically in the United States, opinion polls show widespread public opposition to continued military involvement, which puts additional pressure on Trump's advisors. The American administration fears catastrophic economic consequences, especially rising oil prices and their direct impact on global and domestic inflation rates, which motivates the search for a 'face-saving exit strategy.'

In Israel, the economic cost of the war appears unprecedentedly exhausting, with estimates indicating a drain of approximately 32 billion dollars per month from the state treasury. Economic experts warn that continued fighting at the current intensity could lead to financial collapse, emphasizing that the national interest requires ending operations as soon as possible to avoid an economic catastrophe.

Despite these pressures, the right-wing elites in Israel view the war as a 'historic and unrepeatable opportunity' to change the face of the Middle East and its balance of power. Terms with religious dimensions are circulated to describe the conflict, reinforcing the trend towards continuing the fight regardless of human and material costs, in an attempt to prevent any retreat in the American position.

For its part, Iran shows signs of readiness to accept understandings for a ceasefire, with Iranian military sources stating that Washington has already begun searching for mediators for de-escalation. Tehran considers the request for mediation as proof of the failure of the military objectives of the aggression, while simultaneously affirming its readiness to deal with all scenarios of escalation or negotiation.

Netanyahu's personal and political dimension remains a primary driver for continuation, as military achievements and assassinations have not translated into an increase in his electoral popularity according to recent polls. Through continuous escalation, Netanyahu seeks to achieve an absolute 'image of victory' that ensures his political survival and provides him with an exit from his legal pursuits, making the decision to end the war complex and linked to power calculations in Washington.

No time limits, and the war continues until goals are achieved and the battle is decided.