Israel is weighing a more limited attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities without the support of the US, as the Trump administration pushes diplomacy in continued talks with Tehran Saturday.
After months of pitching the US on proposals for spring and summer strikes that would target Tehran’s nuclear program, President Trump this week told Netanyahu that he wants to prioritize negotiations.
On Saturday, US and Iranian delegations concluded a second round of talks in Rome and announced plans to continue them next weekend.
As a result, Israel is now eyeing a more limited attack that would require less assistance from Washington, an Israeli official and two other sources told Reuters Saturday.
The original proposals, first floated to the Biden administration, required significant involvement from the US.
Netanyahu, in a video address Saturday night, doubled down on his commitment to fighting Iran’s nuclear progress.
“I am committed to preventing Iran from attaining nuclear weapons,” he said. “I won’t give on this, I won’t let up on this, and I won’t withdraw from this — not a millimeter.”
If it weren’t for his past actions to “harm” its nuke program, “Iran would have had a nuclear weapon 10 years ago,” Netanyahu added.
Although the West believes Iran is working to build a nuclear bomb, an Israeli strike would only set it back temporarily, experts say.
A senior Israeli official said a final decision on a strike has not yet been made, the outlet reported. An Iranian official said Tehran was aware of the plans, however, and that an attack would provoke “a harsh and unwavering response” in return.
Israel would still need help from Washington to defend itself if Tehran retaliates, the sources said, and the offensive would risk alienating Trump and broader US support.
With Post wires