TEHRAN- Renowned American political scientist Professor John Mearsheimer delivered a forceful critique during a speech at the Arab Center in Washington, D.C., blaming Israel for pulling the United States into 'a disastrous war' and for obstructing efforts to reach a ceasefire.

Speaking at the event, Mearsheimer stated, “It is widely accepted that it was the Israelis who dragged us into this catastrophic war, and it is the Israelis who are preventing us from reaching a ceasefire.”

He added that American public opinion toward Israel is undergoing a significant shift—one he believes will intensify over time.

Addressing the US position on Iran, Mearsheimer argued that President Donald Trump is acting out of desperation. “We are playing a losing hand. This would destroy far more than a presidency. He knows this,” the scholar said.

The professor also interpreted Trump’s threat of “extermination” as a sign of failed escalation, adding, “By evening, he backs off. He essentially concedes defeat.”

In a stark comparison, Mearsheimer concluded, “If there were Nuremberg-style trials, Joe Biden, Donald Trump, and their vice presidents would be held accountable at the highest level.”

Reflecting on the psychology of defeat, he remarked, “When a country wins a war, it celebrates. When it loses, it searches for answers. And when the defeat is catastrophic, the demand for accountability becomes overwhelming.”