Netanyahu Pushes Trump for New Iran Strikes: The 'Goalpost Shift' to Missiles

The nuclear program is 'obliterated,' but the war isn't over. Benjamin Netanyahu is heading to Mar-a-Lago this Sunday, December 28, 2025, with a new target in his sights: Iran’s missile arsenal. Despite Donald Trump’s claims of total victory in June, Israel is sounding the drums of war once again.

Shifting Focus to the Missile Threat

Netanyahu’s visit aims to convince Trump that the job isn't done. While the June strikes damaged nuclear facilities, AIPAC estimates that Iran still holds roughly 1,500 ballistic missiles—half of its original 3,000—which can overwhelm regional defenses like the Iron Dome. Analysts suggest this is a tactical shift; since Trump won't admit the nuclear issue still exists, Israel has moved the goalposts to missiles to maintain military pressure.

America First vs. Foreign Policy Hawks

The pressure on the Trump administration is mounting from two opposite directions. On one side, 'America First' voices like Tucker Carlson have slammed the push for more strikes, calling the relationship 'parasitic.' They don't want the US dragged into a 'forever war' just as Trump tries to pivot away from the Middle East.

On the other side, influential hawks like Secretary of State Marco Rubio and major donors like Miriam Adelson are pushing for continued support of Israel’s security goals. This creates a friction point as the 2026 midterms approach, leaving Trump to balance the demands of his anti-war base against the interests of his most powerful backers.