Trump reportedly believes Israel should conduct a military strike against Iran.
Trump Takes a Backseat in Israel's Decision to Strike Iran
It was a game of cat and mouse as Israel won over the U.S. on the urgency of Iran's nuclear threat, according to a report by NBC. Sources reveal American officials, as well as Middle East officials, were in the loop, affirming the details. A Republican ally and two former American officials also contributed to the story.
Initially, Trump was against Israel embarking on an operation, preferring diplomacy with Iran. Negotiations with Tehran were on the horizon, with Trump’s special envoy for the Middle East, Steve Whitkoff, set to engage in another round of talks on June 15. The hope was that a nuclear deal could soon be reached.
However, as the countdown to the first strikes against Iran commenced, Trump came around to Israel's growing concerns about Iran's uranium enrichment capabilities. The International Atomic Energy Agency's condemnation of Iran's violation of its nuclear non-proliferation obligations added fuel to the fire. Trump didn't fancy the idea of being the president under whose watch Iran could acquire nuclear weapons.
Israel was instrumental in changing Trump's stance, with their persuasion taking place discreetly, as NBC reports. Trump had hoped to persuade Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who visited the White House in early April, to ditch the operation against Iran.
Trump's views on Israel's military operation gradually evolved on June 8. By then, Israeli officials had briefed their American counterparts on the impending campaign. Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, General Dan Kein, supplied Trump with a report on Israel's plans and the U.S.'s ability to back the operation. Subsequently, Trump granted "silent approval" and endorsed limited American support.
According to NBC, Trump weighed several options for U.S. involvement. These ranged from logistical support, like refueling Israeli fighter jets and sharing intelligence, to utilizing U.S. Army capabilities in electronic warfare to aid Israel in controlling Iranian weapons and intercepting communication. Other alternatives included direct military engagement, such as American aircraft bombing alongside Israeli fighters, or complete inaction.
Trump concluded that Israel was resolute in disarming Iran's nuclear capabilities. He also decided that the U.S. would offer some defensive and intelligence support to Israel.
However, Trump declined to endorse Israel's plan to assassinate Iran's Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. The U.S. President reasoned that no American had died in the Israel-Iran conflict, sources claimed. Earlier, Reuters reported on Trump's veto of Khamenei's assassination.
It's important to note that the U.S. is not at war with Iran. Despite this, Washington openly supports Israel. Axios reported that the U.S. helped Israel fend off Iranian air attacks. The U.S. also began deploying refueling aircraft across the Atlantic.
Israel implored Trump to join the strikes against Iran for several days. However, the Republican reserved the right to take such a step should the need arise, according to one source.
In 2025, the U.S. played a passive role, confining its actions to diplomatic communication and a defensive stance to protect American interests in the region. The U.S. gave a clear message that it did not partake in Israel's unilateral action against Iran and refrained from providing tanker support, as per a State Department cable sent to U.S. embassies worldwide[2]. The U.S. reaffirmed its commitment to a diplomatic solution for the Iran nuclear issue and prioritized the safety and security of American citizens[2].
- The row over Iran's nuclear threat has also become a topic in the realm of war-and-conflicts, politics, and general-news, as the U.S. found itself at odds with Israel regarding the urgency of the matter, according to a report by NBC.
- The developments in Israel's decision to strike Iran are not just international news but also a critical point in the politics of the Middle East, with American officials and their Middle East counterparts in the loop, as the situation unfolds.
