Full Breakdown
Israel and the United States Weigh Diplomatic and Military Options as Iran Tensions Rise
7/14/2026, 4:39:08 AM
Core Developments
In a July 12, 2026 interview on *Face the Nation*, Israeli Ambassador Michael Leiter said Israel will join U.S. kinetic action against Iran if the United States requests it, while also outlining Israel’s conditional plan to withdraw from pilot zones in southern Lebanon once Hezbollah is dismantled. Retired Gen. Frank McKenzie, former commander of U.S. Central Command, reiterated that the United States possesses the capability to control the Strait of Hormuz and to apply “existential” pressure on Tehran if the president chooses a military route.
Background & Context
Weeks earlier the United States signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Iran in Versailles, a deal Israel publicly opposed and Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu called “flawed.” The MOU required Iran to keep the Strait of Hormuz open; the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps (IRGC) subsequently fired on a commercial vessel, prompting the United States to resume bombing. Iranian missile launches have landed in Jordan (no casualties) and have been reported over Bahrain, Kuwait, Qatar and Oman.
Key Figures & Groups
- Michael Leiter – Israeli ambassador to the United States (first day in Washington January 27 2025).
- Frank McKenzie – Retired U.S. Central Command commander, president of The Citadel.
- President Donald Trump – Signed the Iran MOU and signaled willingness to pursue a diplomatic solution.
- Senator Lindsey Graham – Advocate for Israel-Saudi normalization and for a firm stance on Iran.
- Hezbollah, IRGC, Lebanese Armed Forces, U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM).
Data & Statistics
- IRGC attack on a commercial vessel triggered U.S. air strikes.
- Missiles fell in Jordan with zero casualties; additional missiles were reported over four Gulf states.
- The MOU’s first-phase timeline envisions a denuclearized Iran within 60-120 days, though Israeli officials expressed “doubts about the possibility of that actually working.”
- Israel hopes to begin pilot-zone withdrawals “in the next few weeks.”
Official Statements & Responses
Leiter emphasized Israel’s willingness to act: Israel will “join kinetic activity against Iran” if the United States asks, but the request has not yet been made. He also noted that Israel will withdraw from southern Lebanon only after Hezbollah is “dismantled,” describing the pilot zones as conditional on Lebanese security forces’ receptivity. Regarding recent violence, Leiter condemned any attacks on journalists and called for “rein[ing] in violence on all sides.”
McKenzie affirmed U.S. military readiness, stating the United States “certainly has the capability to control the Strait of Hormuz if the president chooses to follow that course of action.” He warned that “Iran has never met a war they could win or a negotiation they could lose,” underscoring the need for “existential” pressure to achieve concessions on missile programs, proxy support, and navigation freedom.
Criticism & Opposition
Leiter addressed two high-profile incidents: a CNN crew allegedly attacked by settlers in the West Bank and Congressman Ro Khanna’s claim that Israeli forces sided with settlers. Leiter condemned the alleged CNN attack and said the embassy had reached out to Khanna, offering a coordinated visit with October 7 massacre survivors—a proposal Khanna declined in favor of Palestinian-aligned groups.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
Leiter asserted that the United States “has not asked us to join the effort,” yet earlier in the interview the host suggested the U.S. was urging Israel to “wait.” No definitive timetable exists for the Lebanese pilot-zone withdrawal; Leiter’s remarks oscillate between “hope they’re planned for the next few weeks” and “not delayed.”
Verbatim Quotes
- “If the United States calls on us to rejoin kinetic activity against Iran, we're going to be there for the United States.” — Michael Leiter, Israeli Ambassador
- “LEITER: Any violence is to be condemned.” — Michael Leiter
- “GENERAL FRANK MCKENZIE: Well, Margaret, we certainly have the capability to control the Strait of Hormuz if the president chooses to follow that course of action.” — Frank McKenzie, Retired Gen.
- “You know, Iran has never met a war they could win or a negotiation they could lose.” — Frank McKenzie
Why It Matters
Israel’s potential participation in U.S. kinetic operations could expand the Iran-Israel confrontation beyond air strikes, while U.S. control of the Strait of Hormuz would affect global oil shipments and signal a decisive shift in regional power dynamics. The conditional Lebanese withdrawal ties Israel’s security calculus to Hezbollah’s dismantlement, making diplomatic progress on Iran a pivotal factor for broader Middle-East stability.
