Washington: During his re-election campaign, U.S. President Donald Trump painted himself as a global dealmaker who would extinguish the world’s most dangerous conflicts. But less than five months into his new term, that vision has suffered a major blow. Israel, a key U.S. ally, has launched a sweeping and complex military offensive targeting Iranian facilities—a move that analysts warn could plunge the Middle East into a wider war.

Despite Trump’s repeated pleas for restraint, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu defied the White House and greenlit the operation. The airstrikes have not only imperiled any hope of near-term peace but have also effectively derailed quiet U.S.-Iran diplomatic overtures. Trump had previously threatened military action himself if nuclear negotiations with Iran stalled, but Israel’s unilateral move has outpaced his administration’s strategy.

“This is a body blow to Trump’s brand of diplomacy,” said Brett Bruen, a former adviser to President Obama. “His team hasn’t been able to secure even a basic ceasefire in Gaza, and Iran was the only track that showed potential—until Netanyahu torched it.”

No immediate comments came from the White House, the Israeli embassy, or Iran's mission to the U.N. following the airstrikes.

The attack also undercuts efforts by Steve Witkoff, Trump’s Middle East envoy and personal confidant, who has been leading high-stakes negotiations with Iran aimed at curbing its nuclear ambitions. Witkoff reportedly pushed Netanyahu to delay any military action, but his diplomatic overtures fell flat. Some within Trump’s own administration had already begun to question whether Witkoff—lacking traditional foreign policy credentials—was out of his depth.

Within Trump’s team, internal strife is growing. The administration has seen an exodus of key figures from the National Security Council, State Department, and Pentagon due to policy clashes and leadership disputes. Meanwhile, Trump’s early foreign policy successes have failed to gain momentum. His touted ceasefire between Israel and Hamas crumbled within weeks, and his vow to end the Russia-Ukraine war has yielded no tangible progress. The much-celebrated Abraham Accords from his first term remain stalled with no visible expansion.

Democratic critics have been swift to point fingers, arguing that the seeds of this crisis were planted when Trump dismantled the Obama-era nuclear accord with Iran without presenting a viable alternative. Senator Chris Murphy described the unfolding situation as a crisis “created by Trump and Netanyahu,” warning of a potential plunge into a devastating regional war.

While it remains uncertain whether Israel’s strikes will trigger a full-blown conflict, the danger is clear. Iran may target U.S. assets in retaliation, and its allies—like the Houthis in Yemen—could resume attacks on Red Sea shipping lanes. Questions also remain over whether Israel can deliver a decisive blow to Iran’s nuclear capabilities without direct U.S. military support.

Among the most sensitive targets is Iran’s Fordow nuclear site, deeply fortified beneath mountains. Experts believe that while Israel may inflict serious damage, dismantling such facilities entirely would likely require American assistance—assistance that U.S. officials say was not involved in this operation.

Iran’s response capacity is also in flux. Israeli jets reportedly aimed at key Iranian military and political figures, possibly weakening Tehran’s ability to retaliate. Whether this will provoke a restrained or fierce reaction is still unclear.

Charles Lister of the Middle East Institute warned that this assault may mark a turning point. “If Israel’s words are to be believed—that this is just the beginning of a broader campaign—then Iran now finds itself in an existential confrontation,” he said. “This takes the risk of escalation to a level we’ve not witnessed in years.”

The fallout leaves Trump’s aspirations of being a global peace broker hanging by a thread. Whether this marks the definitive collapse of his foreign policy legacy or just a temporary derailment will depend on the volatile days ahead.