Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has vowed that, with the backing of US President Donald Trump, his government will “finish the job” of neutralizing Iran’s nuclear threat. The statement comes amid reports from US intelligence agencies that Israel is considering launching airstrikes against Iranian nuclear sites in the coming months. Previously, in the month of January, during the Biden administration’s last days, the US agencies made a number of plans for possible options.
While Trump has expressed a preference for reaching a deal with Tehran, he has also made it clear that military action remains an option should negotiations fail. Speaking to Fox News, US National Security Adviser Michael Waltz reinforced the administration’s stance, stating that “all options are on the table.” Waltz added that the US would only engage in talks with Iran if it is willing to completely dismantle its nuclear program.
Trump’s approach to negotiations often includes a combination of threats and diplomatic overtures, but experts warn that this strategy may not be effective with Tehran. Analysts suggest that the window for a diplomatic resolution is rapidly closing as Iran’s nuclear capabilities advance. Netanyahu is working to persuade Trump to join Israel in a coordinated strike while Iran remains in a militarily weakened state. Attack on Iranian Nuclear facilities has long been one of Israel’s ambitions in order to eliminate the Nuclear threat in the region; however, several interventions by the US in West Asia and their negative repercussions have stopped the US to date.
During Trump’s first term in office, Netanyahu attempted unsuccessfully to convince the US to take military action against Iran. However, in 2018, Trump withdrew the US from the Iran nuclear deal, a move long awaited by Netanyahu. Since then, Reports says, Iran has increased its uranium enrichment activities and is a short technical step away from producing weapons-grade fissile material. Although Iran maintains that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes and remains a member of the nuclear non-proliferation treaty, there is concern that an Israeli strike on its nuclear sites could prompt Tehran to shift its policy toward weaponization.
Tensions between Israel and Iran have escalated over the past year, marked by a series of retaliatory attacks. Israeli airstrikes on October 25 inflicted severe damage on Iran’s air defence systems, leaving the country in one of its most vulnerable states in decades. Israel has also targeted Hezbollah, Iran’s key ally in the region, further weakening Tehran’s position.
Netanyahu made his latest remarks while standing alongside US Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who was visiting Israel on his first official trip to the region. “Over the last 16 months, Israel has dealt a mighty blow to Iran’s terror axis,” Netanyahu said. “Under the strong leadership of President Trump and with your unflinching support, I have no doubt that we can and will finish the job.”
US intelligence officials have briefed reporters that they believe Israel is likely to attack Iranian nuclear sites in the first half of 2025. However, they note that Israel would not be able to do so without US support. It includes aerial refuelling, intelligence, and reconnaissance for the operation to be successful. Some US officials caution that such strikes would, at best, delay Iran’s nuclear program by a few months and could push Tehran to accelerate efforts to develop nuclear weapons.
Despite these concerns, the Trump administration recently approved the sale of advanced guidance kits for bunker-busting BLU-109 bombs, which would be critical in striking Iran’s deeply buried enrichment facilities, such as Fordow. Netanyahu’s recent visit to the White House—the first by a foreign leader following Trump’s re-election—underscored the strong ties between the two leaders. According to reports from the Washington Post, Trump and Netanyahu discussed potential levels of US involvement in an Israeli strike, ranging from direct military assistance to more limited political backing.
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The diplomatic window for a negotiated solution with Iran is rapidly closing. Under the terms of the 2015 nuclear deal, the UK, France, and Germany have until October 2025 to trigger the “snapback” mechanism, which would reimpose UN sanctions on Iran. If they fail to act, they will lose that leverage. Raz Zimmt, an expert on Iran at Israel’s Institute for National Security Studies, warns that if no agreement is reached by late summer, Netanyahu may find it easier to secure a US green light for military action.
Trump’s strong relationship with Netanyahu has long been a defining feature of his foreign policy. However, Israel’s push for military action against Iran could test that alliance. Some within Trump’s administration advocate for restraint, while others favour a more aggressive stance toward Tehran. Former Pentagon adviser Ariane Tabatabai notes that the internal debate over Iran policy could influence the administration’s final decision.
While Trump has sought to avoid foreign entanglements, he has demonstrated a willingness to use force against Iran in the past. In 2020, he ordered the assassination of Qassem Suleimani, a top commander in Iran’s Revolutionary Guard, in a drone strike in Baghdad. Reports indicate that Saudi Arabia has offered to mediate to prevent further escalation, but some analysts argue that Trump’s hardline negotiating tactics could backfire, given Tehran’s historical resistance to external pressure.
Beyond the Iran issue, Netanyahu and Trump are also aligned on policy regarding Gaza. Netanyahu recently echoed Trump’s proposal to “take over” Gaza and permanently remove its Palestinian population, a plan that has sparked widespread condemnation. Speaking to American Jewish leaders, Netanyahu described the initiative as “the only viable plan to enable a different future for the people of Gaza, for Israel, and for the region.”
Meanwhile, the US has resumed shipments of heavy bombs to Israel, reversing a Biden-era policy that had restricted their delivery. The Israeli Defense Ministry confirmed on Sunday that a shipment of MK-84 bombs had arrived, with Israeli Defense Minister Israel Katz thanking Trump for his “unwavering support.” The move has drawn criticism from Palestinian officials, with Gaza’s Government Media Office head, Salama Maroof, condemning the US for sending weapons instead of humanitarian aid.
Rubio’s trip to Israel fell during negotiations for a ceasefire deal between Israel and Hamas. The talks are tenuous, with accusations by Hamas that Israel is violating the truce. Netanyahu’s office has already confirmed that the two sides are continuing negotiations for the next stage of the deal, with the Israeli team poised to fly to Cairo together further.
As tensions rise across the region, the coming months will prove crucial in determining whether diplomacy or military action will prevail. With Netanyahu calling for immediate action and Trump considering his options, the Middle East is on the precipice of a major escalation.
