Wie am Irankrieg das US-israelische Bündnis zerbrechen könnte

The Iran war began in February 2026 as a joint U.S.-Israeli operation, but by July, Israel found itself sidelined, its core war aims unrealized, and its relationship with its most important ally strained to a degree not seen in decades. The episode traces how Benjamin Netanyahu’s gamble on a quick, decisive victory against Iran backfired, leaving Israel militarily entangled in Lebanon, politically isolated, and facing a U.S. president whose interests have diverged sharply from its own.

A war sold on fantasy, fought on different terms

Netanyahu entered the war with maximalist goals: to cripple Iran’s military, dismantle its nuclear program, end its support for proxy forces, and even achieve regime change. The early phase seemed promising—Iran’s Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei was killed quickly, and there were military successes. But regime change never materialized. Instead, Iran turned its control of the Strait of Hormuz into a powerful economic lever, threatening global shipping and putting direct pressure on Donald Trump. By June, the U.S. and Iran had signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) that led to a shaky ceasefire—negotiated without any Israeli participation. For Israel, this was a profound affront and a strategic setback.