US-Israel’s Joint War on Iran: A Deepening Military Alliance & Growing Rift

America and Israel’s War to Remake the Middle East

The United States and Israel are engaged in a combined military operation against Iran – dubbed “Epic Fury” and “Rising Lion” respectively – marking a significant shift in their long-standing alliance. This represents the first truly combined U.S.-Israeli military operation since World War II, with both nations acting as equal partners in intelligence sharing, target division, and risk assessment. The operation follows the Twelve-Day War of June 2025, and signals a more assertive approach to countering Iranian influence in the region.

Traditionally, U.S. Military engagements have involved leading broad coalitions, but this operation demonstrates a unique level of integration with Israel, fusing operations at all levels and placing both U.S. And Israeli lives at risk. This deepened collaboration, however, is unfolding against a backdrop of diverging public opinion in the U.S. Regarding the value of the U.S.-Israeli relationship and the necessity of conflict with Iran.

A Long Time Coming: The Deepening Military Partnership

The decision to operate as a unified force wasn’t sudden. Preparations for a joint war have been underway for years, beginning in 2020 when then-President Donald Trump directed the Pentagon to move operations related to Israel from the U.S. European Command to the U.S. Central Command (CENTCOM). This organizational change reflected a commitment to normalizing ties between Israel and its neighbors and facilitated increased integration of U.S. And Israeli military capabilities.

CENTCOM quickly identified practical ways to include Israel in regional initiatives, such as sharing intelligence and radar feeds. U.S. Support for the normalization of Israel’s ties with Arab nations coincided with advancements in defense technology, making integration easier and more cost-effective. Personal relationships between U.S. And Israeli military leaders also played a crucial role; General Erik Kurilla, CENTCOM’s commander between 2022 and 2025, visited Israel at least 40 times during his tenure.

This deepening collaboration continued under President Joe Biden, culminating in the Juniper Oak exercise in January 2023 – the first “all domain” exercise between the U.S. Military and any partner in the Middle East. This exercise tested the ability of air, land, sea, cyber, and space forces to share information and fight together against various threats. The events of October 7, 2023, and the subsequent Iranian attacks further accelerated this integration, with the U.S. Increasing its military presence in the region and coordinating air-defense coalitions with Arab and European partners.

A Diverging Path: Public Opinion and Political Challenges

While military ties have strengthened, the political landscape is becoming increasingly fractured. Israelis largely view the Iranian regime as an existential threat and are, at least initially, rallying around the current campaign. Americans, however, were not adequately prepared for war with Iran, and polls in January and February 2026 showed deep unpopularity for the conflict.

This divergence is further highlighted by shifting public sentiment in the U.S. A Gallup World Affairs Survey revealed that, for the first time in 25 years, more Americans sympathize with Palestinians than with Israelis. A CNN poll in late February 2026 found that 60 percent of Americans disapprove of the campaign and want congressional approval for further military collaboration. Young Americans, in particular, exhibit low support for a U.S. Military partnership with Israel.

This disconnect between military collaboration and public opinion presents a significant challenge. Israelis believe the previous conflict ended prematurely and that the threat from Iran remains as long as the current regime persists, with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu expressing interest in creating conditions for regime change. While President Trump has echoed these calls, he has also indicated openness to working with remnants of the Iranian regime.

The Current Conflict: A Combined Offensive

The current strikes on Iran are accelerating a bifurcation in the U.S.-Israeli relationship, characterized by ever-deepening military closeness and growing political criticism. The two militaries are demonstrating joint air defense and strike frameworks, comprehensive deconfliction, and continuous intelligence fusion. The division of targets in the initial days of the campaign, with Israel focusing on leadership targets and the U.S. Targeting missile-storage facilities and the Iranian navy, illustrates the coordinated approach.

The campaign also features offensive and defensive cyber-operations and coordinated information campaigns aimed at disrupting Iranian operations and influencing public perception. However, the operation is unfolding as U.S. Casualties potentially rise and President Trump faces pressure to end the conflict quickly, particularly given his previous promises of “no more foreign wars.”

What Happens Next?

The end of the fighting will not necessarily be the end of the conflict. The situation is likely to mirror the aftermath of the Twelve-Day War, with a cessation of hostilities but no lasting resolution. Iran is already targeting civilian infrastructure in Arab states, endangering U.S. Allies and potentially disrupting global energy markets.

The long-term impact on the U.S.-Israeli relationship remains a significant concern. Israel is a valuable ally with irreplaceable intelligence capabilities and a thriving defense innovation ecosystem. However, continued erosion of political support in the U.S. Could jeopardize this partnership, hindering future collaboration and undermining the deeper relationship that teamwork could have bolstered.

A failure of political leadership to bridge the gap between military collaboration and public opinion could accelerate this breakdown, leaving the region in a precarious state and potentially diminishing the effectiveness of future security cooperation.