Waltz’s secret push for Iran war with Netanyahu sealed his fate after “Signalgate”
By isabelle // 2025-05-05
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  • Trump fired National Security Advisor Mike Waltz due to clashes over Iran policy, not just the "Signalgate" security breach.
  • Waltz pushed for military strikes on Iran, conflicting with Trump’s preference for diplomacy, and coordinated closely with Netanyahu.
  • The "Signalgate" scandal, involving a leaked Yemen military chat, further damaged trust in Waltz’s judgment.
  • Trump replaced Waltz with Marco Rubio, signaling a shift toward advisors who align with his diplomatic approach.
  • The move highlights Trump’s demand for loyalty and resistance to foreign influence in U.S. policy decisions.
President Donald Trump’s decision to fire National Security Advisor Mike Waltz was not just about the infamous "Signalgate" scandal; it was the culmination of growing tensions over Waltz’s aggressive push for military action against Iran, a stance that directly conflicted with Trump’s preference for diplomacy. According to senior White House officials, Waltz’s "intense coordination" with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to advocate for strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities infuriated the president, ultimately sealing his fate. The Washington Post reported that Waltz had been clashing with Trump and other top officials since early in the administration over his hawkish approach to Iran. While the accidental inclusion of a journalist in a sensitive Signal group chat discussing military operations in Yemen—dubbed "Signalgate"—was the final straw, insiders say the real rift stemmed from Waltz’s alignment with Netanyahu’s hardline stance.

A clash of strategies

Trump, who has repeatedly emphasized his desire to avoid unnecessary wars, favored pursuing diplomatic solutions with Iran before considering military action. But Waltz, a former Green Beret and longtime advocate for interventionist policies, reportedly worked closely with Netanyahu ahead of the Israeli leader’s February meeting with Trump to push for a more aggressive approach. "Waltz wanted to take U.S. policy in a direction Trump wasn’t comfortable with because the U.S. hadn’t attempted a diplomatic solution," a senior official told The Washington Post. "It got back to Trump, and the president wasn’t happy with it." Netanyahu’s office denied the claims, stating that while the prime minister met with Waltz before his Oval Office visit, there was no "intensive contact" regarding Iran. Yet multiple sources within the administration described Waltz as operating hand in glove with Israeli officials, undermining Trump’s diplomatic efforts.

The Signalgate fallout

Waltz’s troubles deepened in March when he inadvertently added The Atlantic’s editor to a Signal group chat discussing sensitive military plans in Yemen. The breach raised alarms about operational security and further eroded Trump’s trust in his national security advisor. Adding to the controversy, Waltz was later photographed using an unofficial, Israeli-made version of Signal designed to archive messages, raising concerns about potential security risks and undue foreign influence. The app, developed by a company with deep ties to Israeli military intelligence, fueled speculation that Waltz’s communications may have been accessible to Israeli officials.

A shift in Trump’s inner circle

Trump’s decision to replace Waltz with Secretary of State Marco Rubio, another pro-Israel figure but one seen as more aligned with the president’s agenda, signals a broader realignment. While Rubio has historically supported tough measures against Iran, he has also demonstrated flexibility in executing Trump’s vision, including the pursuit of a new nuclear deal with Tehran. The move underscores Trump’s growing impatience with advisors who prioritize foreign alliances over his directives. As one Trump adviser bluntly put it: "You work for the president of your country, not a president of another country."

The Iran dilemma

The rift over Iran policy highlights a fundamental divide within the administration. While Trump has publicly stated he does not want the U.S. "dragged into" a war, he has also left the door open to military action if diplomacy fails. "I may go in very willingly if we can’t get a deal," he told Time magazine last week. Meanwhile, Netanyahu has long argued that Iran’s nuclear program must be dismantled entirely, a position Waltz reportedly championed behind closed doors. With talks between the U.S. and Iran reportedly nearing a deal similar to the 2015 JCPOA, Israel has grown increasingly anxious, fearing Washington is conceding too much. Waltz’s ouster serves as a reminder of Trump’s intolerance for insubordination, especially when it involves foreign influence. While the president nominated Waltz as U.S. ambassador to the UN, the demotion reflects a clear message: loyalty to Trump’s agenda trumps all.   Sources for this article include: InformationLiberation.com WashingtonPost.com TimesOfIsrael.com NYPost.com
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