Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of Israel, left, and President Donald Trump shake hands during a joint news conference at Mar-a-Lago in Palm Beach. (Source: NYT)In the weeks leading up to US military campaign against Iran, a tight-knit group of senior officials convened repeatedly inside the White House Situation Room. As reported by The New York Times, these high-stakes discussions revealed how US President Donald Trump’s instincts, coupled with limited internal resistance, ultimately set the United States on a path to war.Here are the takeaways:Netanyahu’s pitch for regime changeAccording to The New York Times, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu made an unprecedented, in-person presentation to US President Trump and his top advisers, arguing that Iran was vulnerable to regime change. He projected a swift and decisive victory, even presenting potential post-regime leadership figures. Trump’s immediate reaction — “Sounds good to me” — showed early alignment.US intelligence disagreedUS intelligence agencies quickly assessed the proposal and found major flaws. While limited military objectives seemed feasible, the idea of triggering a popular uprising and installing a new regime was dismissed as unrealistic. As per the NYT report, CIA Director John Ratcliffe described those expectations as “farcical.” Despite this, Trump remained focused on military action, sidelining long-term political concerns.Vance was the lone strong opponent of the warOf everyone in Trump’s inner circle, Vice President JD Vance stood out as the most vocal critic of the war plans. According to the NYT report, he warned of regional instability, economic fallout and political backlash at home. Though firmly opposed, Vance ultimately conceded, telling Trump he would support the decision if it went ahead.Advisers hesitated to challenge TrumpSeveral top officials showed their private concerns but stopped short of confronting the president directly. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth backed immediate action, while Secretary of State Marco Rubio favoured continued pressure over war but did not press the case strongly. Military leadership highlighted risks but avoided firm recommendations. As noted by The New York Times, this lack of unified resistance allowed Trump’s position to harden.Confidence in a quick victory shaped the decisionTrump’s belief in a fast, low-cost victory played a central role. Drawing confidence from previous operations and limited Iranian retaliation, he dismissed warnings about potential escalation, including disruptions in the Strait of Hormuz. The New York Times report that Trump remained convinced the conflict would be brief and manageable.In the end, the decision was less about consensus and more about instinct and the act. Unlike his first term, Trump’s inner circle this time largely deferred to his judgment.The Express Global Desk at The Indian Express delivers authoritative, verified, and context-driven coverage of key international developments shaping global politics, policy, and migration trends. The desk focuses on stories with direct relevance for Indian and global audiences, combining breaking news with in-depth explainers and analysis. A major focus area of the desk is US immigration and visa policy, including developments related to student visas, work permits, permanent residency pathways, executive actions, and court rulings. The Global Desk also closely tracks Canada’s immigration, visa, and study policies, covering changes to study permits, post-study work options, permanent residence programmes, and regulatory updates affecting migrants and international students. All reporting from the Global Desk adheres to The Indian Express’ editorial standards, relying on official data, government notifications, court documents, and on-record sources. The desk prioritises clarity, accuracy, and accountability, ensuring readers can navigate complex global systems with confidence. Core Team The Express Global Desk is led by a team of experienced journalists and editors with deep expertise in international affairs and migration policy: Aniruddha Dhar – Senior Assistant Editor with extensive experience in global affairs, international politics, and editorial leadership. Nischai Vats – Deputy Copy Editor specialising in US politics, US visa and immigration policy, and policy-driven international coverage. Mashkoora Khan – Sub-editor focusing on global developments, with a strong emphasis on Canada visa, immigration, and study-related policy coverage. ... Read MoreStay updated with the latest - Click here to follow us on Instagram© IE Online Media Services Pvt Ltd