Israel has reportedly assured the White House that it will refrain from striking Iran’s nuclear infrastructure unless President Trump determines that diplomatic efforts have definitively collapsed, according to two Israeli officials familiar with the matter who spoke to Axios.
Over the past few weeks, the Trump administration has grown increasingly wary that Israel might act unilaterally, even as diplomatic talks with Tehran continue. President Trump stated that he had personally warned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against taking action prematurely while negotiations remain in progress.
However, Trump also acknowledged that his position isn’t fixed, noting, “could change with a phone call” if he concludes the negotiations with Iran are going nowhere.
Israeli officials relayed this assurance during a high-level visit to Washington last week that included Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, Mossad chief David Barnea, and National Security Adviser Tzahi Hanegbi.
One Israeli official indicated that their message was direct: Israel would not catch the Trump administration off guard with a sudden military operation targeting Iran.
“We calmed the Americans and told them there is no logic in launching an attack if a good diplomatic solution can be found. This is why we are going to give it a chance and wait with any military action until it is clear that negotiations were exhausted and [White House envoy] Steve Witkoff has given up,” a second Israeli official explained.
Another senior Israeli source clarified that although the IDF continues to maintain readiness for a potential operation against Iran, certain moves made in advance of airstrikes on Houthi targets in Yemen were mistakenly interpreted by other nations—including the U.S.—as steps toward an imminent attack on Iran.
Meanwhile, the White House is still awaiting Tehran’s official reply to a nuclear agreement proposal. Iranian sources have said that their response is currently being drafted.
{Matzav.com}
