The Voice News: Washington, D.C. – Israel has told the White House it will not launch a military strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities unless President Donald Trump concludes that diplomatic efforts have failed, according to senior Israeli officials.
The reassurance came during high-level meetings in Washington last week involving Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, Mossad Director David Barnea, and National Security Adviser Tzahi Hanegbi.
“We made it clear there’s no point in military action if a diplomatic solution is possible,” one official said, adding that Israel would wait until White House envoy Steve Witkoff determines negotiations are exhausted.
U.S. officials had grown increasingly concerned about the possibility of an Israeli preemptive strike amid ongoing nuclear talks with Tehran. President Trump acknowledged advising Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu not to act while talks are underway — though he noted that could “change with a phone call” if diplomacy stalls.
Israeli sources also clarified that recent IDF military preparations were related to operations in Yemen, not Iran.
Diplomatic Outlook
The U.S. is awaiting Iran’s response to its latest nuclear proposal. Trump criticized Tehran on Wednesday for “dragging their feet,” following public rejection of key deal elements by Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei.
Trump’s two-month deadline for an agreement is set to expire next week. No further talks between U.S. envoy Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi are currently scheduled.
Despite skepticism expressed by Netanyahu, Israeli officials believe Iran will continue engaging to avoid a breakdown in talks.
“It could take months before Trump officially decides the negotiations have failed,” one official noted.