Hillary Clinton Criticizes Netanyahu and US Strikes on Iran, Calls for Economic Pressure

In a public discussion in New York, former US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton argued that American strikes targeting senior Iranian leaders failed to topple the Tehran regime and did not achieve the intended effect under the Trump administration. She described the strategic error of assuming that eliminating individuals alone would force Iran's surrender, emphasizing that the real power lies with the military and the Revolutionary Guards, while religious figures serve mainly symbolic roles. Clinton advocated increasing economic pressure on Iran through China and India, including threatening secondary sanctions to encourage reopening the Strait of Hormuz and restoring the status quo.

Clinton also warned that the conflict has severely depleted the US ammunition stockpile and harmed national readiness against unforeseen threats, such as a potential China-Taiwan confrontation. In a rare political critique of Israel, she highlighted a deep disappointment among young people with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government, stressing the importance of separating support for Israel from opposition to its government's policies. She accused Netanyahu of causing "severe damage to Israel" and its global image, which has destabilized the country and led many Israelis to consider emigration.

Clinton stated, "There should be no doubt about the severe harm Netanyahu has inflicted on Israel first and foremost, and on its perception worldwide, not only in the United States but globally." She called for repairing this damage and acknowledged the significant work needed to secure Israel's future and security. Citing her personal connections to Israelis and Americans with families in Israel, she noted that some young Israelis now say, "If this does not change, we will leave." Clinton concluded that Netanyahu's role in undermining the state of Israel is a concern beyond just US interests.