Although Donald Trump and Benjamin Netanyahu made the final decisions on war and ceasefire actions involving Iran, further details reveal that senior military leaders played a crucial role behind the scenes.According to The Jerusalem Post, key figures included IDF Chief of Staff Lt.-Gen. Eyal Zamir, U.S. Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Dan Caine, and CENTCOM Chief Adm. Brad Cooper.
These commanders were instrumental in shaping the direction and execution of the conflict.Zamir played a pivotal role in persuading Caine and Cooper that military action against Iran was achievable, encouraging their support—or at least preventing opposition.
In turn, Caine was influential in convincing Trump of the plan’s viability, despite holding reservations about certain aspects of the conflict.At the same time, Caine remained cautious, advising restraint and expressing concern that further escalation could lead to increased American casualties and political consequences.
This caution influenced Trump’s repeated announcements of unilateral ceasefires during the conflict.While the three commanders contributed significantly to both the successes and limitations of the war, not all strategic decisions fully aligned with their individual views.
Earlier, on February 12, Netanyahu made an urgent trip to Washington to meet Trump after the U.S. president began reconsidering military action. During the meeting, Netanyahu presented a four-step plan aimed at persuading Trump to proceed with the operation against Iran.
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