Trump halts Israeli strike, opens door for Iran talks
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 decided to negotiate with Tehran instead.
- Trump's decision is a result of internal divisions within his administration, with some officials being skeptical about the effectiveness of a military solution.
- Trump gave Iran several months to negotiate a new nuclear agreement, aiming to avoid 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 resulted from divisions within the Trump administration. Some officials feared that military action could lead to a wider conflict. Trump, who withdrew from the nuclear agreement with Iran in his first term, is now opting for 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 set to be conducted as early as May. The goal was to delay Iran's ability to produce nuclear weapons by at least a year. However, the plans would require American support, both in terms of defence against Iran's response and ensuring the success of the attack itself.
What does this mean for the US-Israel relations?
Trump's decision to choose diplomacy over military support for Israel could impact relations between the 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 simultaneously preparing for various scenarios. Among the options being considered are not only negotiations but also potential covert operations and more aggressive enforcement of sanctions. Trump emphasized that all options remain on the table.
