Turning Military Strike to Historic Regional Shift

Israel’s recent preemptive strike against Iran marks more than a military milestone. It reflects a deep and strategic alignment between Jerusalem and Washington—an alliance built over decades of visible and behind-the-scenes cooperation, and one that has remained steadfast even amid public disagreements about how best to counter Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.

With over 200 aircraft targeting Iranian nuclear and military sites, including Natanz and key command centers in Tehran, Israel aimed to cripple Iran’s nuclear capabilities and degrade its military infrastructure. The reported deaths of Generals Hossein Salami and Mohammad Bagheri underscore the strike’s precision. There are hundreds of moving parts in such an operation—from intelligence gathering to precision targeting and the deployment of advanced armaments. It is fair to say that while Israel acted independently, many of the capabilities involved were made possible thanks to the enduring US–Israel partnership, a relationship that has spanned presidents and administrations.

The morning after Israel’s successful strike, President Trump and his national security team expressed their support. Secretary of State Marco Rubio emphasized that the operation was Israel’s unilateral decision but reaffirmed America’s commitment to regional stability and the safety of US personnel. Trump himself publicly urged Iran to return to the negotiating table before further escalation, signaling that Israel’s strike may also serve to strengthen the US position in ongoing diplomatic efforts.

This level of coordination—a shared strategic vision combined with operational independence—is no small feat. It has been forged through decades of trust-building between Israeli and American counterparts across diplomatic, military, and intelligence domains. Such alignment allows Israel the freedom to act decisively against existential threats, while enabling the US to maintain plausible deniability and signal unified deterrence. The message from both nations is unequivocal: Iran’s pursuit of nuclear weapons or proxy aggression will not be tolerated.

This bold strike against Iran’s military leadership and nuclear infrastructure must also be viewed as an opportunity for a strategic recalibration in the region. From the 1979 Camp David Accords to the 2020 Abraham Accords under President Trump, America has often played a vital role in normalizing ties between Israel and the Arab world, including the peace treaties with Egypt and Jordan.

For two decades, pragmatic Arab countries have been working quietly with Israel as they viewed Iran as a common enemy. It was that common ground that allowed for President Trump to foster the Abraham Accords in his previous term in office. However, a number of countries—including the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia—have not yet made that leap. Now, with Iran’s proxies significantly weakened—and even Hezbollah signaling restraint in the wake of the strike—Israel’s ability to successfully strike deep into Tehran will not go unnoticed by Arab states still weighing the benefits of formalizing ties with Israel.

In a region where strength commands respect, Israel’s decisive action reinforces its role as a serious and capable strategic partner. Only weeks ago, President Trump visited key Gulf countries. If his administration seizes this moment—by deepening diplomatic engagement, offering intelligence cooperation, and advancing collective security frameworks—it could catalyze the next wave of the Abraham Accords. This new phase would be rooted not only in shared economic interests, but in a joint commitment to regional security.

This is a rare moment of clarity and opportunity. By translating military success into diplomatic momentum, the United States and Israel can jointly lead a realignment in the Middle East—one that deters aggression, strengthens alliances, and advances a vision of peace through strength. This is the moment for American leadership to transform strategic partnership into lasting peace.