At Trump's request, Israel cleared way for U.S. bombers in Iran
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At the request of the Trump administration, the Israeli Air Force took out multiple Iranian air defense systems in the 48 hours leading up to the U.S. strike on Iran's Fordow nuclear facility, three U.S. and Israeli officials told Axios.
Why it matters: Trump's historic decision to join Israel's war against Iran marked the culmination of months of intense — and at times strained — U.S.-Israeli coordination over Tehran's nuclear program.
- That partnership peaked in the final hours before the strike, when Israel played a direct role in enabling the U.S. military operation.
- "I want to thank and congratulate Prime Minister Bibi Netanyahu," Trump said in an address to the nation Saturday after announcing the unprecedented strikes.
- "We worked as a team like perhaps no team has ever worked before, and we've gone a long way to erasing this horrible threat to Israel."
Behind the scenes: Trump's request was made directly to Netanyahu last week, after the president decided he would move forward with a military strike on Iran's nuclear facilities unless a surprise diplomatic opportunity emerged.
- "How can we help?" Netanyahu asked, according to Israeli officials.
- Trump told Netanyahu he wanted the Israeli Air Force to eliminate as many Iranian air defense systems as possible in southern Iran — to clear a path for incoming U.S. B-2 stealth bombers.
- The U.S. then provided Israel with a list of air defense systems it wanted eliminated ahead of the strike, an Israeli official told Axios.
On Thursday, Netanyahu and Israel's Minister of Defense Israel Katz held a call with Vice President Vance and Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth to continue coordinating.
- "They made it clear to us in that call that they were moving forward with the operation," an Israeli official said.
- "In the 48 hours before the U.S. operation, the IDF conducted several strikes in the area to degrade Iranian defenses," the official said.
- The Israeli strikes, concentrated in southern Iran, were designed to minimize the risk to B-2 bombers en route to Fordow — a deeply buried nuclear facility the Pentagon targeted with 30,000-pound bunker-buster bombs.
What they're saying: "We didn't press the U.S. to join the war. We were careful not to create the impression that we are dragging the U.S. into a war," an Israeli official told Axios.
- "But luckily for us, God hardened Pharaoh's heart — [Iran's Supreme Leader] Khamenei acted like an idiot and refused any proposal from the U.S.," the official said.
Shortly after the B-2 bombers began their return to the U.S., Trump called Netanyahu to brief him on the strike, according to both U.S. and Israeli officials.
- Trump told Netanyahu that with Iran's nuclear facilities destroyed, his next goal is to reach a deal with Tehran and secure peace.
- "The president doesn't want to continue strikes on Iran," a U.S. official said. "He's ready to do it if the Iranians retaliate against U.S. forces, but he told Netanyahu that he wants peace."
An Israeli official confirmed Trump conveyed that message, adding: "We still don't know how the Iranians are going to respond — and that could change everything."
- "But the Americans made it clear to us they want to close this round. They don't mind if we continue our strikes, but when it comes to them, they're done."
