Trump halts Israeli strike on Iran, opts for diplomacy
U.S. President Donald Trump blocked a planned Israeli attack on Iranian nuclear facilities, "The New York Times" reported on Wednesday, citing officials from the president's administration.
What do you need to know?
- Israel planned an attack on Iranian nuclear facilities in May, but President Trump blocked this move and chose to negotiate with Tehran instead.
- Trump's decision stems from internal divisions within his administration, where some officials questioned the effectiveness of a military solution.
- Trump gave Iran several months to negotiate a new nuclear agreement, aiming to prevent another conflict in the Middle East.
Why did Trump choose diplomacy?
After months of internal debates, Trump decided to reject the Israeli plan to attack Iranian nuclear facilities, "The New York Times" reported, citing sources within the American administration.
This decision arose from divisions within the Trump administration. Some officials feared that military action could escalate into a broader conflict. Trump, who withdrew from the nuclear agreement with Iran during his first term, is now choosing diplomacy, giving Tehran several months to negotiate a new deal.
What were Israel's plans?
Israeli officials had prepared plans to attack Iranian nuclear facilities, which were scheduled to be executed as early as May. The aim was to delay Iran's ability to produce nuclear weapons by at least a year. However, the plans required American support, both for defense against Iran's potential response and to ensure the success of the attack itself.
What does this mean for US-Israel relations?
Trump's decision to choose diplomacy over military support for Israel could affect relations between the two countries. Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was informed of the decision during a visit to Washington.
"In private discussions, Mr. Trump made clear to Mr. Netanyahu that he would not provide American support for an Israeli attack in May while the negotiations were playing out," reads the article in "The New York Times".
What are the next steps?
The Trump administration continues talks with Iran while preparing for various scenarios. The options being considered include not only negotiations but also potential covert operations and more aggressive enforcement of sanctions. Trump emphasized that all options remain on the table.
