Israeli officials think Trump could give them green light to attack Iran again
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Trump arrives to address the nation about the U.S. strikes on Iran, June 21. Photo: Carlos Barria/Pool via Getty
Israel is preparing for the possibility of further military action if Iran tries to revive its nuclear program, and Israeli officials think President Trump could green light renewed Israeli attacks, two sources with knowledge tell Axios.
Zoom in: The path forward on the Iranian nuclear crisis will be a primary topic when Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu sit down for dinner on Monday evening at the White House.
- Israeli officials say Netanyahu wants to reach understandings with Trump about future U.S. nuclear negotiations with Iran, and on possible scenarios that would justify renewed military strikes.
Behind the scenes: Netanyahu's top adviser, Ron Dermer, told officials in closed briefings that he came away from a recent visit to Washington with the impression that the Trump administration would back new Israeli strikes on Iran under certain circumstances, the sources say.
- One scenario would be an Iranian attempt to remove the highly enriched uranium inside the damaged facilities in Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan, according to the sources.
- Another would be if the Iranians start rebuilding their nuclear program, particularly enrichment facilities.
- Dermer met last week with Vice President Vance, Secretary of State Marco Rubio and White House envoy Steve Witkoff, Israeli officials say. Dermer declined to comment.
The other side: Trump said twice since the 12-day war between Israel and Iran ended that the U.S. could attack Iran again in the future if it restores uranium enrichment.
- But he has also said he wants to reach a negotiated settlement to avoid any further conflict.
- The White House did not respond to a request for comment.
One key issue discussed in Dermer's meetings was Iran's stockpile of highly enriched uranium, which includes 400kg enriched to 60%. Weapons-grade uranium requires about 90% enrichment.
- Israeli and U.S. officials say the material is currently "sealed off" inside the three nuclear sites. The U.S. and Israel assessed that those sites were significantly damaged, but that not all nuclear material or infrastructure was destroyed.
- Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian said in an interview that aired Monday with Tucker Carlson that the nuclear facilities were seriously damaged, but Iran doesn't currently have access to them to accurately assess the situation.
The intrigue: U.S. and Israeli officials say both countries' intelligence services are monitoring Iranian actions around its nuclear facilities to detect efforts to remove material or restore operations.
What's next: White House envoy Steve Witkoff is planning to meet Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Oslo in the coming days to restart nuclear talks.
- The Iranians confirmed such a meeting is in the works but so far no final date has been set.
- Dermer told Israeli officials the U.S. remains committed to the principle of zero enrichment on Iranian soil in the nuclear talks.
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