Israel is reportedly preparing for a potential strike on Iran’s nuclear programme ahead of the second term at the White House of Donald Trump.
The claim comes as concerns mount about Tehran’s progress towards developing nuclear weapons, particularly given its increasingly close ties with Moscow.
Israeli officials view this cooperation as potentially boosting Iran’s defences and complicating efforts to prevent its nuclear advancement.
Defence Minister Israel Katz recently claimed that Iran’s nuclear facilities are “more exposed than ever” following prior Israeli military operations, though these efforts have not yet thwarted Iran’s ability to enrich uranium at near-weapons-grade levels.
Israeli media cited by Fox News suggest the country’s air force is consequently readying itself for a potential strike against Iran’s nuclear facilities.
The evolving Middle Eastern landscape, including the collapse of Bashar al-Assad’s regime in Syria and Hezbollah’s weakened influence in Lebanon, has left Tehran more isolated.
Despite this, Iranian leadership has continued to fortify its nuclear sites, many buried in mountainous regions to resist airstrikes.
Such preparations have intensified Israeli concerns, prompting military readiness for further action to counter what Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has described as an “existential threat”.
The Biden administration and international allies, including the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), have advocated for diplomacy and inspections rather than unilateral strikes, warning of the risks of escalation.
However, Mr Netanyahu has indicated that Israel cannot rely solely on external actors to address the threat, reaffirming that Jerusalem reserves the right to act independently.
In late October, Israeli forces reportedly carried out strikes that partially degraded Iran’s nuclear infrastructure, though officials admitted this was insufficient to neutralise the programme
Meanwhile, the incoming Trump-aligned US leadership may revisit its “maximum pressure” approach towards Tehran, potentially aligning more closely with Israel’s strategy.
Reports suggest Trump’s team is exploring intensified sanctions and even considering preventive military options to disrupt Iran’s nuclear ambitions.
However, the US also seeks to avoid entanglement in a broader conflict with Iran, creating a delicate balancing act as regional tensions rise.
This convergence of Israeli and US preparations, coupled with Tehran’s continued nuclear enrichment, underscores a precarious moment for the Middle East.
As diplomatic efforts struggle to gain traction, the likelihood of a unilateral Israeli strike increases, potentially reshaping the regional order and escalating global tensions.
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