US officials have confirmed that new intelligence suggests Israel is preparing to strike Iranian nuclear facilities, despite ongoing diplomatic efforts with Tehran led by the Trump administration.
The proposed strike would be a significant departure from President Donald Trump’s public stance, which has emphasized diplomacy as the preferred approach. However, internal US government disagreement exists regarding the likelihood of an Israeli attack.
Israeli leaders’ intentions seem uncertain, and it is unclear whether they have made a final decision on such a move. The situation is further complicated by disagreements within the US government over the effectiveness of potential strikes against Iranian nuclear facilities.
Recent intelligence assessments suggest that Israel has been intensifying military preparations, including air munitions deployments and an air exercise, sparking concerns about an imminent strike. These preparations could be part of a larger strategy to pressure Iran into abandoning key aspects of its nuclear program.
The US is stepping up intelligence collection in anticipation of potential Israeli action but remains unlikely to assist the country in carrying out strikes on Iranian nuclear sites unless there are significant provocations from Tehran.
Israel has not demonstrated sufficient capability to destroy the Iranian nuclear program without American assistance. The Trump administration’s stance on this issue remains unclear, and it appears that a “bad deal” with Iran would prompt Israel to reconsider its options.
Key US officials have emphasized the importance of diplomacy in resolving the crisis, and talks between Washington and Tehran are ongoing. However, significant challenges remain, particularly regarding Iran’s demand for uranium enrichment capabilities.
Source: https://edition.cnn.com/2025/05/20/politics/intelligence-israel-possible-strike-iran-nuclear-facilities