Desk report: According to a report by the Washington Post on Wednesday, US intelligence sources have indicated that Israel may launch a preemptive strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities by mid-2025. This action, the report suggests, could disrupt Iran’s nuclear program for weeks or months while escalating regional tensions and increasing the risk of a broader conflict.
The intelligence reports, which date from the end of the Biden administration and the start of the Trump administration, caution that such an attack would likely target Iran’s Fordow and Natanz nuclear sites. The reports also highlight that Israel’s previous attack on Iran in October has weakened Iran’s air defenses, making the country more vulnerable to further strikes.
The White House has declined to comment, and efforts to reach the Israeli government, CIA, and other intelligence agencies for confirmation were unsuccessful. However, Brian Hughes, a spokesperson for the White House National Security Council, emphasized that former President Donald Trump is committed to preventing Iran from obtaining nuclear weapons. He stated that while Trump prefers a negotiated resolution, he would not wait indefinitely for Iran to engage in talks.
The most detailed intelligence assessment, produced in early January, reportedly involved input from the Joint Chiefs of Staff’s intelligence directorate and the Defense Intelligence Agency. It outlined two potential strike plans, both of which would require US support in the form of aerial refueling and intelligence assistance.
In a recent Fox News interview, Trump expressed his preference for a diplomatic solution, stating that he believed both the US and Israel would prefer to avoid a military conflict. He also noted that he hoped a deal could be reached to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
The United States, under former President Obama, had negotiated a nuclear deal with Iran, which aimed to halt its nuclear program. However, President Trump withdrew from the agreement in 2018 and reimposed sanctions, a decision supported by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Since then, Iran has resumed its nuclear activities, including enriching uranium, as reported by the UN’s International Atomic Energy Agency.
Iran has been engaged in talks with Britain, France, and Germany in Geneva, as part of ongoing efforts to resume nuclear discussions, according to Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi.