Israel Does Not Rule Out Limited Strike on Iran’s Nuclear Facilities Despite Trump’s Intervention

Ongoing Tensions Between Israel and Iran

While U.S. President Donald Trump has reportedly put the brakes on a possible Israeli attack against Iranian nuclear facilities, sources from Reuters indicate that Israel is still considering a limited strike in the coming months. Israeli officials believe that such an operation could require less American support compared to previous plans which involved extensive cooperation between the two nations.

Risks to U.S.-Israel Relations

However, a limited attack could jeopardize Israel’s relationship with Trump and potentially reduce American assistance to Israel for defense against any Iranian retaliation. Former Biden administration officials remarked to Reuters that parts of the proposed plans for military action were previously presented to the U.S. government, most of which relied on U.S. support—either directly or indirectly. Furthermore, they mentistartd that Israel had requested American assistance for protection against potential Iranian reprisals.

Iran’s Strong Response

In light of these developments, a senior Iranian official emphasized that any Israeli military action would trigger a “hard and unwavering response.” This claim included allegations of intelligence that Israel is planning a significant offensive against Iranian nuclear facilities, motivated by dissatisfaction with ongoing diplomatic efforts and Netanyahu’s political survival strategy.

Diplomatic Developments

Concurrently, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi arrived in Rome, where indirect negotiations with the U.S. are set to continue. Iranian Foreign Ministry spokesperson Ismail Baqaei stated that the second round of indirect discussions, mediated by Oman’s foreign minister, would take place today. He reiterated Iran’s commitment to diplomacy as a means of resolving issues while respecting Iran’s interests.

Iran’s Stance on Nuclear Enrichment

Reports indicate that Iran is prepared to accept certain limitations on its uranium enrichment, but requires solid guarantees from Trump to avoid a recurrence of the U.S. withdrawal from the nuclear agreement, as occurred in 2018 due to Israeli pressure. An Iranian source revealed that Tehran’s “red lines,” outlined by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei, will not be negotiable. This includes maintaining certain centrifuges and establishing clear limits on uranium enrichment levels without discussing its missile program.

U.S. Strategic Decision-Making

Dramatic reports in the New York Times highlighted that Trump stalled the Israeli attack plans after months of internal debate in Washington regarding the best approach to the Islamic Republic—whether to pursue diplomacy or to support an Israeli military strike during a time when Iran remains militarily and economically weakened. It was suggested that Israel was aiming for a military strike on Iranian nuclear sites, potentially as soon as next month, but those plans were halted to favor diplomatic efforts aimed at negotiating a deal that would constrain Iran’s nuclear ambitions.

Trump later clarified that he did not explicitly “prevent” an attack on Iran, expressing his belief that Iran has the potential to become a great nation and that he preferred that route to military confrontation. He stated, “If they don’t cooperate, the second option (an attack) would be very bad for them.”

Conclusion

As diplomatic dialogues resume, the tension between Israel and Iran continues to simmer, with the prospect of military action lingering in the background. The dynamics between the U.S., Israel, and Iran will be crucial in shaping future developments, particularly in the context of Iran’s nuclear ambitions and regional stability