DeskReport
The United States has learned from new intelligence that Israel is preparing to attack Iran’s nuclear facilities. The information comes as US President Donald Trump’s administration tries to reach a nuclear deal with Tehran, multiple US officials confirmed to CNN.
US officials say such an attack would be a major departure for Israel from President Donald Trump’s policies. It could also risk a wider regional conflict in the Middle East. The US has sought to avoid escalation in the region since the Gaza war began in 2023.
But officials caution that Israeli leaders have not yet made a final decision. Even within the US government, there are deep disagreements about whether Israel will ultimately strike. How and when Israel strikes will likely depend on US negotiations over Tehran’s nuclear program.
However, a US intelligence official said, “The likelihood of an Israeli attack on Iranian nuclear facilities has increased significantly in recent months. The likelihood of an attack will increase further if the US-Iran deal brokered by Trump does not result in the removal of all Iranian uranium.”
CNN also cited intelligence sources as saying that the concern is growing after monitoring public and private messages from Israeli officials, intercepted communications and Israeli military movements. Multiple sources said that this could indicate an imminent attack.
The sources said that Israel is already stockpiling the necessary equipment for air warfare and has also conducted an air exercise. But these indications could also be a tactic by Israel to pressure Iran to abandon its nuclear program. This is evidence of the complex situation that the White House is facing.
A senior Western diplomat who met with President Trump earlier this month said that Trump said that the United States would give Iran only a few weeks to succeed in nuclear talks, before resorting to military action. But for now, the White House’s policy is diplomacy.
Former US intelligence official Jonathan Panikoff said that this puts Israel in a “difficult situation.” Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is under pressure to avoid a US-Iran deal, but he also doesn’t want to upset Trump, who has already clashed with the Israeli prime minister on regional security issues.
“At the end of the day, Israel’s decision will depend on US policy and what kind of deal President Trump is making or not making with Iran,” Panikoff said. “Netanyahu probably won’t risk completely severing US ties, at least not without US approval.”
A source said Israel does not have the capacity to destroy Iran’s nuclear program without US help. However, an Israeli source told CNN that if the US makes a “bad deal” with Iran that Israel cannot accept, Israel would be prepared to take unilateral military action.
“I think if they (Israel) think Trump is going to agree to a bad deal, they will probably attack to break that deal. The Israelis have not hesitated to give us this signal… they have given this signal publicly,” said another source familiar with US intelligence.
