Washington: Israel is seeking support from the Trump administration to carry strikes on Iran’s nuclear sites this year as Tehran stands weakened following the assassination of its allies’ top leaders and the toppling of Assad’s regime in Syria, a new report has revealed citing US intelligence inputs.
A recent analysis, conducted in the final days of the Biden administration, highlighted growing instability in the Middle East following Israel’s successful strikes on Iranian military sites and the weakening of Iran’s proxy forces, including Hezbollah and Hamas, the Wall Street Journal has reported.
Israeli strikes on Iran
The timing and execution of any Israeli military action against Iran will likely depend on ongoing negotiations between the US and Israel, as well as the fragile ceasefires in Gaza and Lebanon.
According to Israeli analysts cited in the report, a potential attack on Iran’s nuclear sites would require multiple strikes on heavily fortified underground facilities. The operation would need to be extensive enough to prevent Iran from quickly rebuilding its nuclear programme.
Yakov Amidror, former Israeli national security adviser under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, suggested that a diplomatic resolution would be preferable. “If a good agreement cannot be achieved, Israel will have to take action against Iran’s nuclear project,” he stated.
Seeking Support from Trump?
The WSJ report also indicated that Israel might seek support from the newly inaugurated Trump administration for such an operation, viewing former President Donald Trump as more inclined to back military action compared to his predecessor, Joe Biden.
Citing intelligence sources, the report noted that Israel sees the window for preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons narrowing. Given the complexity and fortification of Iran’s nuclear facilities, U.S. military assistance would be crucial for any potential strike, military experts suggested.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s government has repeatedly hinted at the possibility of taking stronger measures against Iran. Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz stated in November, “Iran is more exposed than ever to strikes on its nuclear facilities. We have the opportunity to achieve our most important goal—to thwart and eliminate the existential threat to the State of Israel.”
Despite Israel’s readiness to act, such an operation carries significant risks. Iran has long threatened retaliation against strikes on its nuclear infrastructure. However, Iran’s position has weakened following Israeli attacks on its conventional military assets. Additionally, the fall of the Assad regime in Syria has deprived Iran of a key regional ally, further diminishing its strategic influence.
