NBC: Trump stops short of full support for Israel’s goals

US President Donald Trump has declined to authorise all of Israel’s requests.

Intelligence gathered post-strikes enabled Israel to consider targeting Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. Netanyahu sought Trump’s approval for this plan, but Trump opposed it, refusing US involvement. With no American casualties reported, Trump deemed removing Khamenei inappropriate and advised against the operation, Caliber.Az reports via NBC.

Trump initially resisted Israeli military strikes against Iran, favoring diplomatic negotiations over direct attacks. However, in the days leading up to Israel’s operation, he became convinced that the country’s growing concerns about Iran’s nuclear enrichment program were valid. Following a critical briefing by Joint Chiefs of Staff Chairman Air Force Gen.

Dan Caine on June 8, which outlined Israel’s plans and US support options, Trump gave tacit approval for Israel to proceed and agreed to provide limited backing. At the time, Trump was increasingly frustrated by Iran’s lack of response to the latest nuclear deal proposal. Despite this, he remained hopeful that his Middle East peace negotiator, Steve Witkoff, scheduled to lead another round of talks soon, could broker a deal.

Trump also faced pressure from longtime allies advocating isolationist policies, who urged him to prevent Israel from launching military action or at least withhold American support. In recent weeks, Israel’s assessment of Tehran’s threat intensified, prompting a stronger push to neutralize Iran’s nuclear capabilities. 

Although Trump resolved not to block Israel, he publicly expressed hope for a peaceful resolution hours before the strikes began. “I don’t want them going in, because I think it would blow it — might help it actually, but it also could blow it, but we’ve had very good discussions with Iran,” Trump said at a bill signing ceremony. “I prefer the more friendly path.”

Behind the scenes, Israel had prepared extensively, and while Trump had hoped Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu might be dissuaded, he eventually accepted Israel’s determination and the necessity of limited US military and intelligence support for defensive purposes. Israel reportedly conducted the initial strikes primarily using its own intelligence and capabilities, successfully eliminating three military leaders, nine nuclear scientists, and damaging several enrichment sites. The operation also relied on American intelligence, recently supplied bunker-buster bombs, and quickly deployed air defense systems.

By Naila Huseynova