Are the U.S. and Its Allies on the Same Page in Iran?

March 25, 2026

TL;DR

All countries prioritize their own interests, which may overlap but are rarely identical.
Divergences exist between the U.S. and Israel regarding the Iran conflict, despite high military coordination.
Iran poses an existential threat to Israel, while its threat to the U.S. is more about regional interests and security efforts.
The lack of a clear, agreed-upon end state for operations invites individual nations, like Israel, to pursue their own objectives.
The current conflict, 'Epic Fury,' lacks a unified coalitional command structure, unlike previous operations like WWII or Afghanistan.
President Trump's interactions with NATO allies have damaged relations, making them hesitant to support operations they were not consulted on.
European reluctance to commit naval assets to reopen the Strait of Hormuz stems partly from the U.S. not articulating a clear plan or theory of victory.
The Trump administration appears to have underestimated the complexities of coordinating with allies and the potential fallout of its actions.
The administration needs to define clearer goals, make specific requests to partners, and adopt a more collaborative approach to seeking support.

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