'Israel' still eyeing limited attack on Iran nuclear sites: Reuters
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"Israel" is weighing a potential strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities despite US reluctance, as Netanyahu faces pushback from Trump's administration.
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Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian, second right, listens to the head of the Atomic Energy Organization of Iran, Mohammad Eslam,i as he visits an exhibition of Iran's nuclear achievements, in Tehran, Iran, on April 9, 2025. (Iranian Presidency Office via AP)
According to Reuters, the Israeli occupation has not ruled out a possible strike on Iran's nuclear facilities in the coming months, despite US President Trump telling Prime Minister Netanyahu that Washington is currently unwilling to support such action, according to Israeli and US sources.
Israeli officials have continued to press for the complete dismantling of Iran’s nuclear program and have presented the US with various military options, including airstrikes and commando raids, some proposed for late spring or summer.
Even though Trump prefers diplomacy for now, Israeli officials are reportedly considering a smaller-scale strike that would require less US involvement, though such a move could strain relations and risk losing US support.
The report stresses that some of these plans had also been previously shown to the Biden administration and would need extensive US backing, especially in the event of Iranian retaliation.
In response to a request for comment, the US National Security Council directed Reuters to remarks made by Trump on Thursday, in which he stated he hasn't discouraged "Israel" from striking Iran but emphasized he is not "in a rush" to back military action against Tehran.
Trump said, “I think that Iran has a chance to have a great country and to live happily without death,” adding, “That's my first option. If there's a second option, I think it would be very bad for Iran, and I think Iran is wanting to talk.” Additionally, a senior Israeli official told Reuters that no decision has been made yet on an Iranian strike.
A senior Iranian security official said Tehran was aware of Israeli planning and that an attack would provoke "a harsh and unwavering response from Iran."
"We have intelligence from reliable sources that Israel is planning a major attack on Iran's nuclear sites. This stems from dissatisfaction with ongoing diplomatic efforts regarding Iran’s nuclear program, and also from Netanyahu’s need for conflict as a means of political survival," the official told Reuters.
Biden Administration pushes back on Israeli strike plans
According to Reuters, Netanyahu faced pushback from the Biden administration over a proposed US-led strike on Iran, with officials arguing it wasn’t justified unless Tehran escalated its nuclear activity or blocked inspections.
US officials also questioned "Israel’s" ability to carry out such an operation alone, noting it would still require American support, especially in the event of Iranian retaliation. Experts warn any strike would likely only delay, not eliminate, Iran’s nuclear capabilities.
"Israel" urged the US not to advance talks with Iran without firm assurances that Tehran can't build a nuclear weapon.
"This can be done by agreement, but only if this agreement is Libyan style: They go in, blow up the installations, dismantle all of the equipment, under American supervision," Netanyahu said following his talks with Trump, adding that "the second possibility is ... that they (Iran) drag out the talks, and then there is the military option."
Trump blocks strike
On a related note, a New York Times report revealed on Thursday, citing sources familiar with the matter, that Trump blocked an Israeli plan to strike Iran’s nuclear facilities in May.
The report, published Wednesday, said "Israel" had been prepared to launch an offensive targeting Iran’s nuclear infrastructure and was counting on US backing. However, Trump halted the operation, favoring a deal amid the ongoing diplomatic efforts between Washington and Tehran.
Israeli officials had told the US that the strike could delay Iran’s nuclear ambitions by at least a year. But, as NYT noted, “all Israeli plans would have required US help in carrying out the attack and defending Israel from Iran’s response.”
The decision followed “months of internal negotiations” within the Trump administration over whether to opt for diplomacy or stand firmly behind "Israel’s" military ambitions, the newspaper added.
Moreover, Iranian Foreign Ministry Spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei announced early Saturday that the second round of indirect negotiations between Iran and the United States will take place in Rome, with mediation by Oman's Foreign Minister, Badr al-Busaidi.
In a statement shared on social media, Baghaei emphasized Tehran’s ongoing commitment to diplomacy, stating that "the Islamic Republic of Iran has always demonstrated, with good faith and a sense of responsibility, its commitment to diplomacy as a civilized way to resolve issues, in full respect of the high interests of the Iranian nation."
Acknowledging the difficulties ahead, Baghaei added, "We are aware that it is not a smooth path, but we take every step with open eyes, relying also on past experiences."
