Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has played a major role in US President Donald Trump's change of heart on the Iran-Israel conflict, according to the New York Times, as he has consistently pressured Trump to support war.

The report said that the success of Israel's first night strike, which killed top Iranian military commanders, impressed Trump and made him more confident about the effectiveness of the war.

Trump himself said on Wednesday evening that they (the Iranians) were really devastated by the first day of strikes... one side of this conflict has collapsed.

The belief that Netanyahu's plan can work could push Trump further into the hawkish camp, but it is not yet clear whether his stance will be permanent.

Trump, in a five- or six-minute speech following his statement, repeatedly said, "Now is not the time for negotiations. It would be better if Iran accepted our proposal."

Still, he did not completely rule out direct talks. Trump said, "We may move forward, we may do nothing, and the decision will be made at the last minute. Because in the case of war, everything can change in the end."