A senior policy fellow at the European Council on Foreign Relations (ECFR) warns that Israel is systematically eliminating Iranian officials most likely to negotiate a political settlement with the United States. Prolonging the war at the expense of the US and global economy.
Ellie Geranmayeh, of the ECFR: "Israel seems to be turning its attention to targeting those that could push for a political solution to overcome Iran's troubles at home and abroad," Netanyahu is worried that Trump would reach a deal that rejects Israel's maximalist demands.
Israel is narrowing the diplomatic space available to Trump. The assassination of senior Iranian leaders risks empowering the most hard-line and security-oriented elements within the Islamic Republic, the opposite of conditions needed for a negotiated outcome or end of the war.