Hegseth Denies Netanyahu Dragged US Into Iran War: ‘President Trump Has Led at Every Step’
Reflecto News | Breaking News | US-Iran Conflict
WASHINGTON — U.S. Secretary of War Pete Hegseth forcefully rejected claims that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu manipulated the United States into launching a war with Iran, stating unequivocally that President Donald Trump has been in command of the conflict “at every step.”
The comments, made during a press briefing at the Pentagon on Tuesday, directly challenge a growing political narrative—amplified by voices on both the anti-war left and the libertarian right—that Israel’s influence in Washington was the primary driver behind the decision to launch joint strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities on February 28.
“The decision to target Iran’s nuclear program was made by President Trump. He has led at every step of this conflict. The United States has not been dragged into a war. We are not the puppets of any foreign power. We are the leaders of the free world.”
— Pete Hegseth, U.S. Secretary of War
🔍 The ‘Dragged Into War’ Narrative
The accusation that Israel “dragged” the United States into a war with Iran has been an undercurrent in American political discourse since the conflict began.
Key voices pushing the narrative include:
- Tucker Carlson: The former Fox News host has repeatedly suggested that Israel manipulated the Trump administration into attacking Iran, often citing what he calls the “golden pager” incident .
- Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.): The libertarian Republican has argued that the administration has not provided sufficient justification for the war, implying foreign influence .
- Rep. Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-Ga.): Greene resigned from Congress in January, accusing the Republican Party of being “controlled by the government of Israel” .
- Anti-war progressives: Several Democrats have called for War Powers Resolution debates, questioning whether the war serves American national interests .
Hegseth’s rebuttal is designed to push back against claims of improper foreign influence, asserting that the decision to attack Iran was based on U.S. strategic interests, not Israeli lobbying. He made clear that while Israel is a “valued partner” and “an important component” of strategy, “they do not call the shots.”
By placing decision-making authority clearly with Trump, Hegseth is also expressing defiance toward the emerging “anti-war” wing and signaling that the administration will not be deterred from its goal of permanently neutralizing Iran’s nuclear threat .
📜 The ‘Golden Pager’ and Netanyahu’s Visit
The idea that Netanyahu “manipulated” the timing of the war is partly grounded in the public schedule of the Israeli leader. Netanyahu visited Washington in February 2025, and critics allege that his meetings with Trump and members of Congress were part of a sustained campaign for U.S. military action against Iran.
In particular, commentators have noted that Netanyahu gifted Trump a “golden pager” during his visit, which some have interpreted as a “veiled threat”—a reference to Israel’s complex operation targeting Hezbollah that involved exploding pagers.
The White House has dismissed such speculation as “absurd.”
Israeli officials have consistently maintained that while they advocated for tougher measures to prevent a nuclear-armed Iran, the final decision to launch a war was made by the U.S. president alone .
🕊️ The Iran War and the ‘Axis of Resistance’
The joint strikes were launched on February 28 following years of intelligence warnings that Iran was rapidly approaching a nuclear breakout capability and had continued to develop ballistic missiles capable of delivering nuclear warheads.
Hegseth’s “at every step” comment is also intended to communicate to Tehran that the chain of command is unified, that the military is acting under clear orders from the White House, and that targeting Israeli interests will not deter the U.S. from its objectives .
💥 Political Context: The Midterms
Hegseth’s strong denial of foreign influence should also be viewed through the lens of the upcoming November midterms. Several GOP members in competitive districts have distanced themselves from the war narrative, as the conflict has become a point of attack for Democrats.
Democrats have been trying to tie vulnerable Republicans to a “war of choice.” Hegseth is trying to inoculate the party by arguing that it was a necessary act of self-defense, not a product of foreign manipulation, and that a GOP Senate and House are needed to “continue the mission.”
📋 Key Takeaways
| Aspect | Summary |
|---|---|
| Hegseth’s Statement | Israel did not drag the US into war; “President Trump has led at every step” |
| The Narrative | Critics (Carlson, Paul, Greene) allege the war was manipulated by Israel |
| Hegseth’s Counter | The US is “not the puppets of any foreign power” |
| ‘Golden Pager’ Incident | Cited by some as evidence of Netanyahu’s influence; White House dismisses as “absurd” |
| Strategic Rationale | War launched to prevent Iran’s nuclear breakout capability |
| Political Context | Hegseth defending GOP candidates ahead of midterms |
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