U.S. Expected to Join Military Action Against Iran Soon: “The Entire Operation Depends on This”
Discussions Between Leaders
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu spoke with U.S. President Donald Trump late Tuesday night, amid growing speculation that the U.S. may soon join Israel in military action against Iranian nuclear facilities, including the fortified site at Fordow. The lengthy consultation sessions between security officials in Washington and Jerusalem preceded the leaders’ conversation.
A senior Israeli official told CNN, “We are waiting for the President’s decision.” Sources within Israel noted that while Netanyahu is not explicitly urging Trump to authorize an American strike, he hopes the President will independently decide to take action. Another source estimated that this would likely take place. “The entire operation is based on the premise that the U.S. will join at some point,” said the official.
American Military Options Under Review
Early reports from CBS indicate that Trump is considering deploying U.S. Air Force assets alongside Israeli attacks on Iranian nuclear sites, including Fordow, after convening his National Security Council. NBC has reported that Trump is evaluating several options regarding Iran, including possible military strikes.
Following the discussions at the White House, special envoy for the Middle East, Steve Vought, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark Milley, and other military officials were seen leaving the premises.
Iran’s Preparation for Retaliation
According to a report by The New York Times, Iran is reportedly preparing missiles and additional military equipment for an attack on U.S. bases in the Middle East, should America involve itself in strikes against Iranian targets. This information comes from two officials familiar with intelligence reports. Additionally, there are concerns that the Houthis may resume attacks on U.S. interests for the first time since a ceasefire agreement between the parties.
The Fordow Facility
The Fordow site is the second major uranium enrichment facility in Iran, following the larger Natanz site, which has already been damaged in earlier Israeli operations. Located near the city of Qom, approximately 160 kilometers south of Tehran, Fordow was constructed to be more impervious to aerial assaults, as it is dug into the side of a mountain, approximately 80 to 90 meters underground. Construction of the facility began around 2006, and its existence was disclosed to the world by Iran in 2009, only after Western intelligence agencies discovered it. Following its announcement, former President Barack Obama declared that the facility’s size and design were inconsistent with a peaceful nuclear program.
Nuclear Deal Compliance and Violations
As per the 2015 nuclear agreement, uranium enrichment at Fordow was to be completely halted for 15 years. However, Iran has resumed operations there since the U.S. withdrew from the accord. Current reports indicate that there are about 2,000 centrifuges at the site, primarily of the advanced IR-6 model, with around 350 enriching uranium to a high level of 60%.
In 2024, reports surfaced indicating that Iran has significantly expanded the Fordow facility. Similar to the Natanz site, Fordow has been subjected to sabotage attempts in the past. In 2013, Western media reported an explosion that allegedly destroyed much of the facility, trapping hundreds of workers inside. While Tehran fiercely denied this, it acknowledged that a previous explosion had damaged high-voltage power lines supplying electricity to the site. In 2022, Iran claimed to have thwarted another alleged sabotage attempt orchestrated by Mossad, allegedly involving the recruitment of a relative of start of the facility’s workers