Reuters: Israel mulls military strike on Iran, US reluctant

Israel has not ruled out launching an attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities in the coming months, despite U.S. President Donald Trump telling Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Washington is, for now, unwilling to support such a move.

Israeli officials remain determined to prevent Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon, with Netanyahu insisting that any negotiation with Tehran must lead to the complete dismantling of its nuclear program, Caliber.Az reports, citing exclusive material by Reuters.

In recent months, Israel has presented several military options to the Trump administration, including airstrikes and commando operations, with timelines stretching into late spring and summer. These options could set back Iran's nuclear program by months or even a year, but the scale of these attacks would vary. However, following Trump’s remarks, Israeli officials are now considering a more limited strike that would require less U.S. support. This smaller attack would be less severe than the original proposals but could still potentially delay Iran's nuclear ambitions.

Although Israeli officials have not yet decided on any military action, they are preparing for the possibility of strikes if diplomacy fails to deliver a satisfactory outcome.

In a recent meeting with Netanyahu, Trump emphasised the U.S. preference for diplomatic talks with Iran, although he noted that a military strike on Iran would be very detrimental. The Trump administration is not rushing into supporting military action against Iran, but it has stated that if Iran’s nuclear program accelerates, options would be re-evaluated.

Israel’s military plans, previously presented to the Biden administration, have been met with pushback. Biden officials have questioned the feasibility and effectiveness of such strikes and have stated that U.S. involvement would only be warranted if Iran escalates its nuclear enrichment or expels inspectors. While Israel’s latest plans would require less direct U.S. assistance, Israel still seeks a guarantee from Washington that it will help defend the country if Iran retaliates.

Any attack would carry significant risks. Military experts warn that while a strike could temporarily damage Iran’s nuclear facilities, it would likely not be enough to permanently halt the program. Israel has also expressed concerns that the U.S. may pursue nuclear negotiations with Iran without sufficient guarantees that Tehran will not develop nuclear weapons.

From Israel’s perspective, this may be an opportune moment for military action. Iran’s allies, including Hamas in Gaza and Hezbollah in Lebanon, are engaged in conflict with Israel, and Tehran's air defences have already been targeted in previous exchanges. However, a senior Israeli official recently indicated that the country has not yet decided on a timeline for any potential strikes.

By Tamilla Hasanova