Report: Netanyahu told Trump he would strike Iran again if necessary; the president did not object

The Wall Street Journal reported that Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu told U.S. President Donald Trump that Israel would strike Iran again if it resumed its pursuit of nuclear weapons.

According to the report, the U.S. president responded that he preferred a diplomatic arrangement – but did not directly object.

The report is based on senior American and Israeli sources. It further states that Trump hopes that the threat of further strikes will pressure Tehran to reach an agreement that would prevent it from acquiring the capability to develop nuclear weapons. Israel, in contrast, is skeptical about the ability of a diplomatic agreement to prevent Iran from secretly advancing toward nuclear weapons.

Two days ago, Defense Minister Israel Katz warned Iran against any attempt to harm Israel.

In his speech at the Air Force pilot course graduation ceremony, Katz said:

“This ceremony here is a direct message to the dictator Khamenei and the gang of ayatollahs in Iran: Israel’s long arm will reach you in Tehran, Tabriz, Isfahan, and anywhere from which you try to threaten or harm Israel. There is no place where you can hide. If we need to return – we will return with even greater force.”

Last month, at the conclusion of Operation Rising Lion, it was reported on Kan News that Israeli officials believe the very fact of the American offensive action has significant impact – particularly because Iran is expected to take into account the possibility of Trump serving another term. An Israeli official estimated in a conversation with Kan News that Tehran would not take steps toward “breaking out” to a bomb during this period.

“There is an American military threat here that has been realized,” said an official who participated in planning the operation in Iran.