Three Former US Presidents Rejected Iran War Proposal, Trump Reportedly Showed Support
Washington, April 22, 2026 — Former US Secretary of State John Kerry has claimed that three American presidents declined a proposal from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to launch a war against Iran, citing the need to fully pursue diplomatic options before resorting to military action.
Speaking during an appearance on a late-night television program, Kerry said that Barack Obama, George W. Bush, and Joe Biden each turned down the idea.
According to him, all three administrations believed that peaceful solutions had not been fully explored.
Kerry emphasized that past conflicts such as the Vietnam War and the Iraq War offer critical lessons about the consequences of entering wars without transparency.
Drawing from his own experience as a Vietnam War veteran, he warned against misleading the public when making decisions that could send troops into combat.
Netanyahu’s Push for Military Action
A report by The New York Times revealed that Netanyahu strongly advocated for joint military action against Iran during discussions with US officials.
The report described a high-level meeting in which he argued that Iran was vulnerable to internal political change and suggested that coordinated US-Israeli strikes could bring down the current regime.
According to the report, then-US President Donald Trump reacted positively to the proposal and indicated openness to the idea of joint action.
Kerry, however, dismissed such projections as speculative, noting that predictions of a popular uprising in Iran or rapid regime change have not materialized.
Concerns Over Assumptions on Iran
Meanwhile, tensions within the US leadership over the Iran issue have also surfaced. Reports indicate that Vice President JD Vance recently held a difficult conversation with Netanyahu, questioning what he saw as overly optimistic assumptions about the potential for regime change in Iran.
US officials cited in media reports suggested that Netanyahu had previously portrayed the situation as more straightforward than it has proven to be, leading to skepticism among some American policymakers.
Diplomatic Debate Continues
The differing responses from US leaders highlight an ongoing divide over how to approach Iran, balancing military considerations with diplomatic engagement.
Kerry’s remarks underscore a broader caution within parts of the US political establishment about entering another major conflict without exhausting all non-military options.
