Former U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken has revealed that Israel pressured then-President Barack Obama to launch a military strike on Iran. According to Blinken, Israeli leaders warned that if the United States refused to act, they would carry out the attack themselves. However, Obama rejected the proposal, arguing that imposing tough sanctions was the best way to address concerns over Iran’s nuclear program. He preferred to resolve the issue through diplomatic means rather than military confrontation.

Blinken also stated that after the October 7, 2023 attack, the United States nearly entered another regional war when Israeli officials provided false information suggesting that Hezbollah was preparing to attack from Lebanon. The remarks highlight the tense dynamics between Washington and Tel Aviv over military decisions and intelligence sharing in the Middle East.

The disclosure, reported by Middle East Eye, underscores the recurring friction between U.S. diplomatic caution and Israel’s more aggressive security posture toward Iran and its allies.