Trump blocks Israeli plan to strike Iran’s nuclear sites, opts for diplomacy

Israel had been preparing to carry out a military strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities in May 2025, but US President Donald Trump ultimately declined to support the operation, favouring diplomatic negotiations instead, The New York Times reported.

According to the report, the decision followed several months of internal deliberations in Washington, where Trump’s advisers were divided over whether the United States should back Israel’s plan or seek a non-military solution. The debate highlighted a fundamental rift between proponents of military action and officials who doubted whether a strike could truly neutralise Iran’s nuclear ambitions without risking a broader conflict in the region.

While Israel had developed a detailed attack plan and was prepared to proceed, officials in Jerusalem remained hopeful that Washington would approve the move. The objective of the strike was to delay Iran’s potential ability to produce a nuclear weapon by at least a year.

However, US officials concluded that any such plan would require direct American involvement—not only to shield Israel from potential Iranian retaliation, but also to ensure the success of the mission. This level of participation would have drawn Washington into the operation as a full partner, a prospect President Trump ultimately rejected.

Despite his earlier withdrawal from the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPOA) during his first term, Trump has now pivoted toward renewed dialogue with Tehran, aiming to avoid another war in the Middle East.

According to The New York Times, the turning point came after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu visited the White House. During their discussions, Trump made clear that the United States would not endorse a military strike. Shortly after, he publicly announced that Washington would enter negotiations with Iran.

Iran, for its part, has shown openness to dialogue. A first round of direct talks between Iranian and American delegations took place in Oman on April 12. The Iranian team was led by Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi, while President Trump’s special envoy, Steven Witkoff, headed the US delegation. Both sides described the atmosphere as constructive and agreed to hold a second round of talks in Oman on April 19.

Trump’s refusal to authorise military action marks a notable shift in his administration’s approach. During his first term, the US had unilaterally exited the Obama-era nuclear deal. But now, facing growing tensions and concerns over Iran’s nuclear trajectory, Washington appears to be opting for diplomatic engagement.

Following his White House meeting with Trump, Netanyahu offered a guarded assessment of the emerging diplomatic track, saying any future agreement would only be effective if it allows signatory states "to enter, blow up the sites, and dismantle all equipment"—a reference to Israel’s insistence on rigorous verification measures under US oversight.

By Tamilla Hasanova