US officials believe that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu convinced President Donald Trump to attack Iran during a meeting in February. 

According to US officials speaking with The New York Times, Netanyahu told Trump on February 11 that the US and Israel could install a new government in Iran by military force and supporting the opposition. 

Netanyahu claimed that after the US and Israel killed Iranian leaders and destroyed military facilities, Washington and Tel Aviv could then provide support to opposition forces and encourage protests. The Israeli leader explained that the son of the former Shah of Iran, Reza Pahlavi, could lead the new government in Tehran. 

While top US officials said the Israeli plan would fail, Trump moved forward with the war. An official speaking with The Times called Netanyahu’s proposal for regime change as “farcical.” Trump assessed that the US could kill the Iranian leaders and degrade the country’s military, while the rest was “their problem.”

Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Caine warned the President that Iran could shut down the Strait of Hormuz, and it would be difficult for the US to force the critical waterway open. Trump dismissed the assessment and stated that Tehran would capitulate before closing the strait. 

Iran responded to the US and Israeli surprise attack by striking Israel, US bases in the region, and closing the Strait of Hormuz.