An Israeli official has told CNN that Israel’s assault on Iran is “premised” on the idea that the US will eventually join.
“The whole operation is premised on the fact that the US will join at some point,” the official said.
Two other Israeli officials told the news outlet that Israel is waiting to learn whether President Trump will help in attacks on Iran. Israel specifically wants the US to attack Iran’s Fordow nuclear site, which is buried deep underground and would require US-made bunker-busting bombs that Israel doesn’t have to inflict any significant damage.
There have been signs that Trump is prepared to launch attacks on Iran, as he has been threatening Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and has been talking like the US is already directly involved. “We now have complete and total control of the skies over Iran,” the president said on Truth Social.
The Israeli officials speaking to CNN said that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is hoping Trump reaches the decision to bomb Iran by himself, without feeling like he’s being pressured by Israel. If the US does start attacking Iran, the Iranian military is prepared to start hitting US bases, which could lead to heavy US casualties.
The US has supported the attack on Iran by providing Israel with weapons and intelligence and by intercepting Iranian missiles and drones. Trump held a meeting with his top national security officials on Tuesday to discuss the situation, but so far, there’s been no word about the US’s next moves.
