Israel preparing to strike Iran fast if Trump's nuclear talks break down
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Benjamin Netanyahu. Photo: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images
Israel is making preparations to swiftly strike Iran's nuclear facilities if negotiations between the U.S. and Iran collapse, two Israeli sources with knowledge of the discussions tell Axios.
Why it matters: The Israeli intelligence community has shifted just in the past few days from believing a nuclear deal was close to thinking talks could soon break down, the sources say.
- One source said the Israeli military thinks its operational window to conduct a successful strike could close soon, so Israel will have to move fast if talks fail. The source declined to say why the military believes a strike would be less effective later.
- Both sources confirmed a CNN report that the Israel Defense Forces have been conducting exercises and other preparations for a possible strike in Iran. "There was a lot of training and the U.S. military sees everything and understands Israel is preparing," one said.
- "Bibi is waiting for the nuclear talks to collapse and for the moment Trump will be disappointed about the negotiations and open to giving him the go ahead," an Israeli source added, using a nickname for Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
Friction point: A U.S. official told Axios the Trump administration is concerned Netanyahu might make his move even without a green light from President Trump.
Behind the scenes: Netanyahu held a highly sensitive meeting earlier this week with a group of top ministers and security and intelligence officials regarding the status of the nuclear talks, an Israeli official said.
Split screen: The fifth round of U.S.-Iran nuclear talks are scheduled to take place Friday in Rome.
- White House envoy Steve Witkoff gave his Iranian counterpart a written proposal for a deal during the last round ten days ago. Confidence that an agreement could be reached seemed to be growing.
- But the negotiations hit a roadblock over the question of whether Iran would be able to have any domestic enrichment capability.
- "We have one very clear red line, and that is enrichment. We cannot allow even 1% of an enrichment capability," Witkoff told ABC's "This Week" on Sunday. Iran's leaders have repeatedly said they won't sign a deal that doesn't permit enrichment.
What to watch: The two Israeli sources said any Israeli strike on Iran will not be a one-off, but a military campaign lasting at least a week.
- Such an operation would be highly complicated and perilous for Israel and for the region.
- Countries in the region fear an Israeli strike could cause widespread radioactive fallout, not to mention a war.
What they're saying: Netanyahu said in his first press conference in six months on Monday that Israel and the U.S. are fully in sync on Iran.
- "We respect their interests and they respect our interests and they overlap almost completely.
- Netanyahu said he'd respect any deal that prevents Iran from enriching Uranium and blocks it from getting a nuclear weapon.
- "But in any case, Israel maintains the right to defend itself from a regime that is threatening to annihilate it."
