How Trump and Netanyahu Changed The Face Of History (and the small price Bibi paid)
In a stunning show of political choreography, Netanyahu’s strategic deference paved the way for Trump’s historic strike on Iran’s nuclear heartland, turning years of simmering conflict into a pivotal moment of strength and security for the free world.
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In a masterful display of diplomatic finesse, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has “kissed the ring” of President Donald Trump, steering the U.S. toward a decisive strike that has reshaped the Israel-Iran conflict for the better. On Saturday, June 21, 2025, Trump authorized a U.S. military operation that obliterated Iran’s nuclear facilities at Fordo, Natanz, and Isfahan, a move Netanyahu hailed as a historic triumph. Far from escalating chaos, this bold action, sparked by Netanyahu’s strategic praise and executed with precision, has neutralized Iran’s nuclear threat, positioning the world on a path to greater security and stability.
The foundation for this strike was laid by Israel’s “Operation Rising Lion,” launched on June 13, 2025. The Israeli Air Force (IAF), under the leadership of Major T., the “Queen of Fire,” had already achieved remarkable feats, destroying 120 of Iran’s 300 mobile missile launchers and thwarting a 70-missile barrage in the “Night of the Launchers” operation, as detailed in her interview with Yinon Yitach. Recognizing the limits of Israel’s ability to fully neutralize deep underground sites like Fordo, Netanyahu turned to Trump. In a series of coordinated calls—reportedly spanning the last several days—Netanyahu flattered Trump’s leadership, framing the U.S. as the only force capable of delivering a knockout blow. This culminated in a public address where he lauded Trump’s decision as “truly unsurpassed,” a sentiment echoed across multiple platforms Sunday morning.
Trump’s response was swift and forceful. Deploying B-2 Spirit stealth bombers armed with 30,000-pound Massive Ordnance Penetrator (MOP) bombs, the U.S. targeted Fordo’s fortified enrichment site, alongside Natanz and Isfahan, which Trump declared “completely and totally obliterated” in a late Saturday address. The International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) confirmed no immediate radiation leaks, attributing this to Iran’s preemptive evacuations and the strike’s precision. This complemented Israel’s 200+ sorties, which had already degraded Iran’s nuclear and military infrastructure, killing IRGC leaders like Hossein Salami and Mohammad Hossein Baqeri.
Netanyahu’s gratitude was profound and public. In a transcribed address aired just after the strikes, he stated:"Israel. Just a short time ago. Congratulations, President Trump. Your bold decision to target Iran’s nuclear facilities with the awesome and righteous might of the United States will change history in Operation Rising Lion. Israel has done truly amazing things. But in tonight’s action against Iran’s nuclear facilities, America has been truly unsurpassed. It has done what no other country on Earth could do. History will record that President Trump acted to deny the world’s most dangerous regime the world’s most dangerous weapons. His leadership today has created a pivot of history that can help lead the Middle East and beyond to a future of prosperity and peace. President Trump and I often say peace through strength. First comes strength, then comes peace. And tonight, President Trump and the United States acted with a lot of strength. President Trump, I thank you. The people of Israel thank you. The forces of civilization thank you. God bless America. God bless Israel. And may God bless our unshakeable alliance, our unbreakable faith."
This statement, reported by NBC’s Peter Alexander from the White House and corroborated by X posts from @netanyahu at 05:40 IDT, showed the close coordination between the two leaders, with Netanyahu noting they spoke “several times over the course of the last several days.”
The strike’s impact was immediate. Early Sunday, June 22, 2025, Iran retaliated with missile barrages on Tel Aviv, Haifa, Nes Ziona, and Beer Yaakov, wounding 16 Israelis, including one seriously in Haifa due to failed sirens. Yet, the IDF’s counterstrikes on western Iran suggest Iran’s diminished capacity to sustain its 350-400 missile campaign, which had killed 24 Israelis and caused widespread damage. The IAEA’s assessment that Fordo’s destruction halts Iran’s nuclear progress, despite Tehran’s claims of minimal damage, highlights the strike’s strategic success.
For 40 years, Iran’s chants of “Death to America” and “Death to Israel” have fueled regional instability, supporting proxies like the Houthis and advancing a ballistic missile program. The U.S. action, while provoking Houthi threats to Red Sea shipping and Russia’s warnings against targeting Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, has dealt a critical blow to this threat.
Critics may view Netanyahu’s deference to Trump as opportunistic, yet this alliance has yielded a result diplomacy, stalled in Geneva on June 20, could not. Trump’s strike, spurred by Netanyahu’s praise, has not only bolstered Israel’s defense but also positioned the U.S. as a decisive force, potentially forcing Iran to reconsider its stance. As Muslim-majority foreign ministers convene in Istanbul for a ceasefire call, the world stands on the brink of a safer era, thanks to Netanyahu’s strategic alliance and Trump’s powerful action.