Arecent “release” by the US State Department has revealed that the United States is engaged in its ongoing conflict with Iran, partly at the request of its ally Israel, directly contradicting President Donald Trump’s past statements that Israel was not involved in the US decision to attack Iran.
The statement, written by legal adviser Reed D. Rubinstein, outlined the official justification behind US involvement.
According to the release, the US “is engaged in this conflict at the request of and in the collective self-defense of its Israeli ally, as well as in the exercise of the United States’ own inherent right of self-defense.” The statement further pointed to multiple letters sent to the UN Security Council as evidence supporting this position.
Referring to the latest phase of the conflict, the State Department noted, “Epic Fury is only the latest round of an ongoing international armed conflict with Iran.” It added that, as explained in communications to the UN, including as recently as March 10, the US role is tied directly to both its own defense and that of Israel.
However, this admission appears to contradict repeated claims by Trump, who has insisted that Israel played no role in his decision to engage in the war. Addressing the issue on Truth Social, Trump stated, “Israel never talked me into the war with Iran,” adding that his decision was driven by “the results of Oct. 7th” and his long-standing view that “IRAN CAN NEVER HAVE A NUCLEAR WEAPON.”
Reports indicate that US involvement followed a February 11 meeting between Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, along with senior US and Israeli officials in the White House Situation Room. According to The New York Times, Netanyahu’s influence and a sustained pressure campaign played a key role in pushing the US toward military action.
Despite warnings from US military commanders that parts of Netanyahu’s proposed plan were “farcical,” Trump moved forward. He later told The Times of Israel that ending the war would be a “mutual” decision between him and Netanyahu, even as ceasefire efforts have been repeatedly tested by continued regional strikes.