Israeli opposition leader Avigdor Lieberman has called for the continuation of military operations against Iran, even if the United States withdraws, following remarks by Donald Trump about ongoing diplomatic engagements with Tehran.
Speaking on Monday at the opening of his party faction meeting, Lieberman, who leads the Yisrael Beytenu, stressed that Israel must remain committed to its military objectives regardless of shifting international dynamics.
“If the US exits the war, we must continue. From our perspective, toppling the regime is essential,” he said, according to a report by Yedioth Ahronoth.
Lieberman also criticized the Israeli government, accusing it of prioritizing internal legislative matters over pressing national security concerns. He expressed frustration over parliamentary discussions taking place amid ongoing security threats.
“While residents of the north hear an air raid siren every few minutes, the Knesset will discuss the fate of the people of Israel and the expansion of the powers of rabbinical courts—this is absolute madness,” he said.
His remarks come in response to a significant development from Washington, where Trump announced a temporary halt to planned military strikes on Iranian energy infrastructure. The US president revealed that he had ordered a five-day postponement of all such operations, citing progress in recent talks with Iran.
“I am pleased to report that the United States of America and the country of Iran have had, over the last two days, very good and productive conversations regarding a complete and total resolution of our hostilities in the Middle East,” Trump said via his social media platform, Truth Social.
Trump added that, based on the “tenor and tone” of the discussions, he had directed the Department of Defense to suspend strikes on Iranian power plants and energy facilities for five days. He noted that the pause would depend on the success of ongoing negotiations.
The development marks a potential shift toward diplomacy after weeks of intense military confrontation in the region. Tensions have remained high since the United States and Israel launched a joint offensive against Iran on February 28, significantly escalating hostilities.
According to available reports, the conflict has resulted in the deaths of more than 1,340 people, including Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ali Khamenei. The situation has triggered widespread concern across the international community due to the risk of further escalation.
In response to the offensive, Iran has carried out retaliatory drone and missile strikes targeting Israel and other countries in the region, including Jordan and Iraq, as well as Gulf states hosting US military installations. These attacks have reportedly caused casualties, damaged infrastructure, and disrupted aviation and global markets.
Analysts say Lieberman’s comments reflect divisions within Israeli political circles over how to proceed amid shifting US policy signals. While some leaders appear open to diplomatic solutions, others insist that military objectives must be fully pursued.
The coming days are expected to be critical, as diplomatic talks continue alongside ongoing tensions on the ground. Observers warn that the fragile pause in hostilities could either pave the way for de-escalation or collapse, potentially leading to renewed conflict across the region.
