Israel still considering limited strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities: Report

Israel has not ruled out launching a limited strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities in the coming months, despite U.S. President Donald Trump signaling that Washington is not prepared to support military action at this stage, Reuters reported, citing Israeli and U.S. officials familiar with the matter.

According to the report, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continues to advocate for military options aimed at halting Iran’s nuclear development.

Sources said Israel presented various strike scenarios to the Trump administration, including airstrikes and commando operations timed for late spring or summer.

US hesitant but has not vetoed Israeli plans

President Trump reportedly told Netanyahu during a White House meeting that the U.S. prefers prioritizing diplomatic negotiations, with a second round of preliminary U.S.-Iran nuclear talks scheduled to take place in Rome on Saturday.

Despite this, Trump said Thursday he was not “in a rush” to support a strike but had not “waved Israel off” from acting independently.

The U.S. National Security Council declined further comment, referring to Trump’s statement.

Israel exploring independent action with minimal US involvement

Israeli officials now believe their military could execute a more limited operation requiring less direct U.S. support, though previous proposals presented to the Biden administration last year involved significant American involvement, including intelligence sharing and military assets like bunker-busting munitions.

A senior Israeli official told Reuters that no final decision has been made, but plans are under active discussion.

Iran warns of retaliation

A senior Iranian security official said Tehran is aware of Israel’s planning and warned that any attack would be met with a “harsh and unwavering response.”

Iranian authorities believe that Israeli interest in a strike stems from frustration over nuclear diplomacy and political calculations in Tel Aviv.

Risks and strategic timing

Military experts say that even a successful Israeli strike would likely only delay Iran’s nuclear capabilities by months or a year.

Several of Iran’s facilities are heavily fortified and deep underground, requiring specialized munitions for effective damage.

From Israel’s perspective, now may be a strategic moment for action. Its recent military campaigns have weakened Iranian allies Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and the Houthis in Yemen, while Iran’s air defenses were damaged in clashes in October 2024.

Netanyahu pushes for ‘Libyan-style’ dismantling

Netanyahu has insisted that any negotiation must lead to the complete dismantling of Iran’s nuclear program, referencing the “Libyan model” in which facilities were destroyed and monitored under American supervision.

He warned that without this, Israel would retain the military option. “They drag out the talks and then there is the military option,” he said after his talks with Trump.

US concerns over escalation

Sources told Reuters that U.S. officials have cautioned Israel against escalation, especially without clear intelligence showing Iran has accelerated uranium enrichment or expelled international inspectors.

Former Biden administration officials questioned whether Israel could effectively execute such a mission without extensive U.S. support and emphasized that any strike could destabilize the region.