Israel sought to bomb Iran's nuclear sites, Trump denied nod: Report

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu wanted to attack Iran’s nuclear sites as early as in May, but US President Donald Trump refused to support the plan, according to a report.

With no support from Trump, the plan to attack Iran has been put on hold for now.

Israel has long seen Iran’s nuclear programme as an existential threat. Even though Iran has maintained for more than two decades that its nuclear programme is entirely civilian, it has enriched nuclear fuel to near weapons-grade level and is in a position to develop a nuclear weapon within months .

However, the Trump administration is currently engaged in indirect talks with Iran regarding the nuclear programme and a potential reset of the bilateral relationship. As long as such talks take place, an Israeli attack on Iranian nuclear programme with US blessing is off the table.

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For now, Trump chooses talks over attacks: Report

After Israel told the Trump administration that it was planning to attack Iran’s nuclear site as soon as in May, a debate began in the Trump’s orbit and a consensus emerged in favour of talks, according to The New York Times.

For any Israeli attack inside Iran, US support is critical as US warplanes, missiles, and ships would not just be critical in protecting Israel from Iranian response but would also likely be critical in the offensive operations. For instance, Israel gets its bunker-bursting bombs, which would likely be used to hit Iran’s underground nuclear facilities, from the United States.

The debate in the Trump administration ended in the consensus that talks should be pursued for now with Iran and an attack may be considered if Iran does not take talks seriously, according to The Times.

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Earlier this month, intelligence chief Tulsi Gabbard —a friendly figure to Iran and its principal ally Russia— presented an assessment that the ongoing build-up of US weaponry in the region could spark a conflict that the United States does not want, as per the newspaper.

In the advocacy of a softer position on Iran, Gabbard found support in Vice President JD Vance, Trump’s Chief of Staff Susie Wiles, and Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Vance went on to say that Trump had a great opportunity to strike a deal with Iran, but could consider an attack if the deal would not materialise.

ALSO READ: Trump weighs options for Iran's nuclear programme, keeps preemptive strikes on table: Report

At Netanyahu’s orders, Israeli officials came up with two broad approaches for the attack, according to the newspaper.

The first involved a commando raid accompanied by a bombing campaign. The second involved intensive bombing campaign without any commando raid.

Israel wants to attack Iran as it’s vulnerable

While Netanyahu has wanted to attack Iran’s nuclear sites for nearly two decades, he finds the current situation particularly opportune.

Currently, Iran is at its weakest in a long time. Its air defences have been nearly wiped out in two rounds of aerial battles with Israel and its allies in the region stand battered. In the Gaza Strip, Hamas has been reduced to a shadow of its former self. In Lebanon, Hezbollah has been battered. In Syria, longtime dictator Bashar al-Assad has been ousted.

Moreover, in an airstrike, Israel dealt a significant blow to the Iranian nuclear capabilities . Separately, Israel has also reduced Iran’s missile production capabilities with airstrikes.

As Iran stands weakened, Israel wants to utilise the opportunity to attack its nuclear facilities.