Washington DC [US], April 18: US President Donald Trump has refused to support Israel in a potential attack on nuclear facilities in Iran, the New York Times reported, citing unnamed US government officials.
Instead, Trump advocated for negotiations with Tehran, the paper said.
Several scenarios had been discussed for attacks on Iranian nuclear facilities in order to prevent Tehran from acquiring an atomic bomb, according to the report.
Almost all of them would have required the support of the US military - to protect Israel from retaliation by Iran, but also to ensure the success of the mission.
Finally, a plan for a bombing raid was drawn up, which, according to the New York Times report on Wednesday, was to begin in early May and last more than a week.
The Israeli government had expected Trump to support the plans, the report continued. However, several members of the US administration were sceptical, including intelligence coordinator Tulsi Gabbard, who warned against a major conflict with Iran.
Defence Secretary Pete Hegseth and Vice President JD Vance also had doubts.
Trump finally informedIsraeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu of his decision against an attack at a meeting in the Oval Office on April 7. At a press conference afterwards, Trump announced talks between the US and Iran. As before, however, he threatened military consequences if Tehran did not agree to a new deal to limit its nuclear programme.
After the article was published, the office of Netanyahu issued a statement touting the "countless" actions taken against Iran's nuclear programme, but did not deny the New York Times account.
Netanyahu has been leading the campaign against Iran's nuclear programme for more than a decade, despite opposition at home and abroad, the statement said.
Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid hit back, writing in a comment on X that he had spoken out in favour of attacking Iran's oil fields last October.
"Eliminating the Iranian oil industry would destroy its economy and ultimately bring down the regime. Netanyahu was afraid, and stopped it," Lapid asserted.
Source: Qatar Tribune
