Israel intended to strike Iran’s nuclear facilities as early as May, a plan that would have required American assistance. But U.S. President Donald Trump decided against an attack in favor of negotiations, The New York Times reported on Wednesday. Trump’s decision came “after months of internal debate” about whether to pursue a military or diplomatic option. Even hawkish members of Trump’s cabinet expressed skepticism that a military strike could destroy Iran’s nuclear ambitions, resulting in a “rough consensus” that for the time being negotiation was the better option, the Times reported.
The Times said it had spoken to multiple officials who had been briefed on Israel’s plans. Most were interviewed on condition of anonymity. Israel, which has long been preparing for an attack on Iran, with or without U.S. help, sees the current situation as favorable to a strike on Iran’s nuclear sites. Israel’s air force has already eliminated most of Iran’s air defenses, and has severely damaged Iran’s proxy Hezbollah in Lebanon. The fall of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in December eliminated a key Iranian ally that acted as a conduit for Iranian arms to Hezbollah.
According to the Times, senior Israeli officials pitched a plan to their American counterparts that would have combined an Israeli commando raid on underground Iranian nuclear sites with a bombing effort that would have involved aircraft. The goal was to set back Iran’s ability to develop a nuclear weapon by a year or more. (Ed note: Believe the New York Times, I don't know about that. I'll wait and see what Trump does.) (Read More)
According to the Times, senior Israeli officials pitched a plan to their American counterparts that would have combined an Israeli commando raid on underground Iranian nuclear sites with a bombing effort that would have involved aircraft. The goal was to set back Iran’s ability to develop a nuclear weapon by a year or more. (Ed note: Believe the New York Times, I don't know about that. I'll wait and see what Trump does.) (Read More)
