Mearsheimer: “there is no state on the planet more ruthless, more murderous than the Israelis”

American political scientist and professor John Mearsheimer warned in an interview that if Israel starts losing its war on Iran, it will not hesitate to use nuclear weapons.

He described Israel as the most ruthless state on the planet and warned that its influence in Washington has dragged the US into a war it never should have fought.

Professor Mearsheimer warns that “no country on the planet is more cruel and deadly than Israel,” and cautions that if Israel begins to lose its war against Iran, it would not hesitate to consider using nuclear weapons. pic.twitter.com/TAFN9YiAxm

— Quds News Network (@QudsNen) March 12, 2026

Israel have Trump in the palm of their hand

On the one hand – Mearsheimer describes Trump as a unilateralist who rejects international law and treats allies with contempt in the interview.

However, Mearsheimer suggests that Netanyahu has such a powerful hold on him that Trump’s unilateralist, deal-making persona can’t stand up to the pressure from the Israel lobby.

His damning judgement on Israel was shared by social media users.

“There is no state on the planet more ruthless, more murderous than Israel.”

Professor John Mearsheimer warns that if Israel starts losing the war against Iran, they will not hesitate to use nuclear weapons. pic.twitter.com/m3Re0fsp2Z

— DOAM (@doamuslims) March 12, 2026

American professor John Mearsheimer:

“This is a remarkably dangerous situation.

There is no state on the planet more ruthless, more murderous than Israel.

The idea that they would use nuclear weapons against Iran is certainly plausible. And I really worry about this scenario.” pic.twitter.com/1dASTInqMU

— sarah (@sahouraxo) March 12, 2026

Furkan Gözükara described it as the “ultimate nightmare scenario” to emphasize that, according to Mearsheimer, a nuclear strike represents the absolute worst  outcome.

Wow Mearsheimer warns of the ultimate nightmare scenario: Israel using nuclear weapons against Iran. Since conventional weapons cannot stop Iran’s nuclear program, Israel is highly likely to launch a nuclear strike. pic.twitter.com/0XiYvJni24

— Furkan Gözükara (@FurkanGozukara) March 12, 2026

Iran won’t back down

In the interview, Mearsheimer stated that Israel’s goal is to “wreck” Iran.

He also pointed out that last year’s 12-day war ended because the Israelis and Americans decided to stop—not the Iranians.

In the current conflict, because the war poses an existential threat to the Iranian state, Mearsheimer argued that Iran can play the “long game.” He noted that they have enough short-range missiles and drones to sustain a prolonged conflict.

Other Mearsheimer clips are gaining traction on X, including his reference to a Lancet report stating that between 1971 and 2021, the U.S. murdered 38 million people through sanctions.

Prof. John Mearsheimer: Between 1971 and 2021, the US murdered 38 million people pic.twitter.com/QqzcVx8vHv

— Glenn Diesen (@Glenn_Diesen) March 9, 2026

As damning as Mearsheimer’s critique of Trump is, his judgment on Israel cuts far deeper.

Featured image via the Canary