Israeli Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich has said plainly what other Israeli leaders have communicated more cautiously: The current U.S.-Iran war benefits Israel most when American forces do the fighting and Israel remains outside the direct exchange.
“When it comes to the state of Israel, there is no interest in joining the campaign,” Smotrich said at a settlement conference Tuesday. “The current situation, where there is a confined campaign between Iran and the United States, is the correct [situation] and best for us.”
His remarks provide an unusually candid explanation for Israel’s absence from the latest American campaign. The United States is attacking Israel’s principal regional enemy, absorbing the financial and military costs and confronting Iran over the Strait of Hormuz. Israel, meanwhile, preserves its aircraft and weapons, avoids renewed Iranian missile attacks and retains the option to intervene later.
Smotrich Separates Israeli and American Objectives
Smotrich acknowledged that Washington and Israel do not necessarily share the same final objective. The United States has concentrated its latest operations on Iranian naval forces, coastal defenses and other capabilities Tehran has used to threaten shipping. Smotrich said Israel seeks a broader political outcome.
“We need to remember that our objective in the campaign, and this is not necessarily shared with the U.S., is to destabilize, weaken [Iran] to the point of overthrowing the regime. We cannot come to terms with the existence of a regime that strives for the destruction of the State of Israel,” he said.
That distinction helps explain Israel’s current restraint. Israel and the United States began the war together Feb. 28 after Iran rejected American demands to end uranium enrichment.
The current phase centers more heavily on the Strait of Hormuz and Iran’s attacks against commercial shipping, U.S. facilities and Arab states. American forces have struck Iranian command centers, drone storage facilities, communications systems, coastal surveillance sites and maritime capabilities. Israel has not participated in those attacks.
Israel Keeps Its Threat in Reserve
Smotrich’s comments align with the strategic position described by other Israeli officials and defense analysts. Israel considers its immediate missile and nuclear objectives at least partially achieved, while reopening the Strait of Hormuz remains primarily an American objective. Jerusalem can therefore wait until Iran attacks Israeli territory.
“Israel’s best move is to not move, yet,” Foundation for Defense of Democracies CEO Mark Dubowitz said. “Washington does the striking. Israel keeps its fire and its threats in reserve, waiting for one of two triggers: a U.S. request to join, or an Iranian regime foolish enough to hit Israel and invite the reprisal that has been promised.”
President Donald Trump has also indicated that Israel remains ready to intervene. While discussing a possible expansion of American attacks, Trump said Israel “would join in two minutes if I ask them to.” He immediately added, “We don’t need anybody.”
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has coupled Israel’s non-participation with an explicit warning to Tehran. “Do not count on there being calm if you attack us,” Netanyahu said in July. “The previous response was powerful enough, but any further attempt to harm us will be met with a different response, far more powerful.”
The Best Position for Israel Comes at an American Cost
Smotrich’s “best for us” description strips away the diplomatic language surrounding Israel’s strategy. Israel has not abandoned its objectives. It has reached a position in which continued American military pressure advances Israeli interests without requiring Israel to accept the immediate risks of another direct campaign.
That arrangement may remain favorable for Israel as long as Iran avoids Israeli territory, but the United States is bearing the human and operational costs. At least 18 American service members have died during the broader conflict, and more than 400 have been wounded, many with traumatic brain injuries.
American forces also remain responsible for striking Iran, defending bases across the region and protecting commercial shipping. Israel retains the ability to intervene if Iran attacks its territory or Washington requests assistance, but its present position allows it to benefit from continued pressure on Tehran while avoiding another direct exchange of fire.
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