Israel is preparing to get ‘the go-ahead’ and strike Iran if ongoing nuclear deal talks with the United States break down, sources have revealed.
The revelation comes just days after US President Donald Trump embarked on a tour of the Gulf and told reporters Iran had to move quickly on a US proposal for its nuclear programme or ‘something bad’s going to happen’.
It is understood that Iran received a proposal last Friday, though the terms have not been elaborated upon.
However, Trump was emphatic during his tour that Iran could not be allowed to obtain a nuclear bomb.
US intelligence agencies have assessed Tehran is not actively pursuing this, though analysts say the nation’s programme is on the cusp of being able to weaponise nuclear material.
Within Israeli intelligence circles however, there is a concern the nuclear talks could collapse at any moment, which would prompt a renewed call for action.
‘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,’ said sources referring to Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, The Times of Israel reported.
The sources added Israel is preparing to act fast in the event of negotiations failing.
Israel is preparing to get ‘the go-ahead’ and strike Iran if ongoing nuclear deal talks with the United States break down, sources have revealed
The revelation comes just days after US President Donald Trump said Iran had to move quickly on a US proposal for its nuclear programme or ‘something bad’s going to happen’
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is said to be prepared to strike Iranian nuclear facilities if a deal with the United States collapses
They also confirmed a CNN report that Israel would undertake a week-long campaign, rather than a one-off assault, with potential targets including Iranian nuclear facilities.
One of the sources added: ‘There was a lot of training and the US military sees everything and understands Israel is preparing.’
Washington is said to be worried that Israel could strike without Trump’s green light, a US source told Axios.
There are also wider concerns that a strike could ignite a wider war in the region that would involve the release of nuclear materials.
Since April 12, Iran and the United States have held four rounds of nuclear talks, with more scheduled for this week in Rome with Oman acting as a mediator.
A source told CNN the likelihood of an Israeli strike against Iran’s nuclear capabilities ‘has gone up significantly in recent months’.
The US is intent on brokering a deal with Iran over its nuclear program, though it is understood Israel would want to see the removal of all of the country’s uranium stock.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei views a model of a nuclear facility, in Tehran, in 2023. The nation has repeatedly said that it does not want to give up its right to a uranium enrichment programme
It is also believed that Iran would be offered a lessening of sanctions if it agrees to curb its activities – however Iran has repeatedly said that it does not want to give up its right to a uranium enrichment programme.
Iran has also argued that it is only interested in developing an atomic program to benefit its population – however it has actively pursued enrichment of uranium up to 60 per cent purity, which is used only in weapons.
Trump has repeatedly threatened to unleash airstrikes targeting Iran’s program if a deal is not reached, while Israel has regularly warned it would strike Iran’s nuclear facilities if it feels threatened.
Such a move could further complicate tensions in the region which have already arisen from the Israel-Hamas war in Gaza.
