Israel weighs strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, with or without U.S. backing
By isabelle // 2025-02-15
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  • Israel may be getting ready to strike Iran’s nuclear facilities, potentially without U.S. backing, viewing it as a critical moment to halt Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.
  • The U.S. has supplied Israel with advanced bunker-busting munitions capable of targeting Iran’s fortified nuclear sites.
  • Israeli officials emphasize that a nuclear-armed Iran poses an existential threat, justifying aggressive action despite risks of regional escalation.
  • President Trump prefers diplomacy over military action but maintains a “maximum pressure” policy of sanctions against Iran.
  • A strike could ignite a broader regional conflict, involving Iranian proxies like Hezbollah and Hamas, further destabilizing the Middle East.
Israel is reportedly preparing to strike Iran’s nuclear facilities, potentially as early as this year, even if it means acting without the backing of its closest ally, the United States. U.S. intelligence agencies have warned that Israel sees a narrowing window to halt Tehran’s nuclear ambitions, with officials describing the situation as a “seize the moment” opportunity. The Biden administration, in its final days, reportedly considered supporting an Israeli ultimatum but ultimately declined, leaving the decision to President Donald Trump, who has expressed a preference for diplomacy over military action. The potential strikes, which could escalate tensions in an already volatile Middle East, come as Israel has been supplied with advanced U.S. munitions capable of penetrating Iran’s fortified nuclear sites. However, the risks of such an operation are immense, with the potential to ignite a broader regional conflict and further destabilize an area already reeling from wars in Gaza and Lebanon.

Israel’s strategic calculus

Israel’s motivation to act stems from its long-standing view that a nuclear-armed Iran poses an existential threat. Israeli officials have repeatedly signaled their willingness to take aggressive action to prevent Tehran from developing nuclear weapons. “Iran is more exposed than ever to strikes on its nuclear facilities,” Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz said in November. “We have the opportunity to achieve our most important goal—to thwart and eliminate the existential threat to the State of Israel.” The U.S. has already provided Israel with bunker-busting munitions capable of damaging Iran’s uranium-enrichment equipment, particularly at the heavily fortified Fordow site near Qom. However, Israeli analysts caution that a successful strike would require hitting multiple sites, some buried deep underground, and ensuring Iran cannot quickly rebuild its capabilities.

U.S. support and diplomatic tensions

While Israel is prepared to act unilaterally, U.S. military support—such as intelligence sharing, mid-air refueling, and additional munitions—would significantly enhance the operation’s chances of success. During recent meetings, President Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu reportedly discussed varying levels of U.S. backing, ranging from active military support to political endorsement of a coercive ultimatum. Trump, however, has publicly stated his preference for a negotiated solution. “I would prefer that not happen,” he told Fox News, referring to a potential Israeli strike. “I’d much rather see a deal with Iran where we can do a deal – supervise, check it, inspect it and then blow it up or just make sure that there are no more nuclear [facilities].” Despite Trump’s diplomatic overtures, his administration has maintained a “maximum pressure” policy of sanctions against Iran, further straining Tehran’s already weakened economy. Iranian President Masoud Pezeshkian has dismissed the idea of negotiating under pressure, stating, “Whoever wants to negotiate with us must stop anti-Iranian policies.”

Risks of escalation

The prospect of Israeli strikes on Iran’s nuclear facilities carries significant risks. U.S. intelligence assessments warn that such an attack could provoke a wider regional conflict, drawing in Iranian proxies like Hezbollah and Hamas, and potentially leading to retaliatory strikes against Israel. Moreover, while Israel’s recent military actions have degraded Iran’s conventional capabilities, Tehran retains a formidable missile program and has vowed to retaliate if its nuclear sites are targeted. “If a good agreement cannot be achieved, Israel will have to act against the nuclear project of Iran,” said Yakov Amidror, a former Israeli national security adviser. The Middle East is already grappling with multiple crises, including the fallout from the Israel-Hamas war and the collapse of Syria’s Assad regime. Any Israeli strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities would further destabilize the region, complicating U.S. efforts to broker peace deals and normalize relations between Israel and Arab states like Saudi Arabia. While no one wants to see Iran with nuclear weapons, the path to preventing that outcome is extremely complicated. Sources for this article include: TheCradle.co WSJ.com CNN.com
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