Axios: Israel urges US to join war with Iran to eliminate nuclear program

Over the past 48 hours, Israeli officials have urged the Trump administration to join its military campaign against Iran to destroy the Islamic Republic’s nuclear program, two Israeli officials told Axios.

Central to Israel’s concern is Iran’s Fordow uranium enrichment facility — a heavily fortified site buried deep within a mountain — which Israeli capabilities alone are insufficient to neutralise. Israel lacks the bunker-busting munitions and heavy bombers required to destroy the facility. The United States, however, possesses both and can deploy them from bases within striking distance of Iran.

Despite the Israeli request, the Trump administration has so far declined to participate in the operation. Senior American officials argue that direct U.S. involvement would risk escalating the conflict and potentially justify Iranian retaliation against American targets.

"Directly attacking Iran, even for a limited strike on a single facility, would bring the United States fully into the war," a U.S. official said.

An Israeli official, speaking to Axios, claimed that President Trump recently suggested in a conversation with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he might consider joining the operation if necessary. However, a White House official denied that assertion on Friday.

A second U.S. official confirmed that Israel has indeed lobbied for American involvement, but emphasized that the administration is not currently considering joining the war.

On June 14, a senior White House official told Axios, “Whatever happens today cannot be prevented,” referring to Israel’s ongoing military actions. “But we have the ability to negotiate a successful peaceful resolution to this conflict if Iran is willing. The fastest way for Iran to achieve peace is to give up its nuclear weapons program,” the official added.

Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Yechiel Leiter told Fox News on June 13 that eliminating Fordow is critical to the success of the operation. “The entire operation… really has to be completed with the elimination of Fordow,” he said.

Israeli officials have reportedly discussed the possibility of U.S. assistance in targeting Fordow with their American counterparts since launching the operation. According to an Israeli source, the proposal remains under consideration in Washington, and Jerusalem continues to press for President Trump’s support.