Media: Israel, Arab states urge Trump to delay major strikes on Iran

Israeli and Arab officials have advised the Trump administration to hold off on large-scale US military strikes against Iran, warning that the regime may not yet be weakened enough for such action to deliver a decisive blow, Caliber.Az reports via US media.

The advice was conveyed in recent days to senior US political and military leaders as President Donald Trump weighs possible military action in response to Iran’s violent crackdown on nationwide protests. Officials from Israel and several Arab states cautioned that premature strikes could fail to topple the regime and might instead strengthen it by uniting Iranians against outside intervention.

According to the sources, allies believe Iran’s internal situation is rapidly evolving, with the regime’s stability capable of shifting quickly. While Israel supports regime change and US efforts to facilitate it, Israeli officials have expressed concern that direct military intervention at this stage could interrupt, rather than complete, the momentum generated by protesters.

White House officials confirmed that Trump is considering a range of options, including non-military measures. Members of his national security team met on January 13 to discuss Iran, though Trump did not attend the session, according to White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt.

Trump has publicly threatened Iran with military action if protesters continue to be killed, posting a message on social media urging Iranians to “KEEP PROTESTING — TAKE OVER YOUR INSTITUTIONS” and saying that “HELP IS ON ITS WAY.” He has also cancelled planned meetings with Iranian officials, despite earlier indications that a US–Iran summit was being arranged.

Arab officials signalled limited regional support for US strikes at this stage. One warned that any attack by the US or Israel could trigger a rally-around-the-flag effect, citing Iran’s response to previous foreign strikes last year.

Instead, Israeli officials have proposed alternative steps aimed at further weakening the regime, including expanding access to communications to bypass Iran’s internet blackout, tightening economic sanctions, launching cyber operations, or conducting highly targeted actions against specific Iranian leaders.

The protests, which began on December 28 amid soaring inflation and a collapsing currency, have grown into one of the most serious challenges to Iran’s ruling system in nearly five decades. Iranian authorities have cut internet and phone services nationwide and have not released official casualty figures.

The US-based Human Rights Activists News Agency said on January 13 that around 2,000 people have been killed and more than 16,000 detained, though other reports suggest higher figures.

Iranian officials have warned that any US attack would make American forces and Israel legitimate targets. Trump responded to those threats by saying the United States would retaliate with overwhelming force.

By Vugar Khalilov