US President Donald Trump has reportedly rejected Israel’s proposal to strike Iran’s nuclear facilities, according to The New York Times, citing White House officials and other sources familiar with the situation. Instead of approving the Israeli plan, Trump has opted to pursue a new deal with Tehran.
The proposal, drafted by Israeli officials in early May, aimed to delay Iran’s nuclear weapons development by a year or more through a combination of airstrikes and commando raids on Iranian nuclear sites. The Israeli plan called for an extensive bombing campaign lasting more than a week, with the hope that the US would not only endorse the operation but also provide active support.
However, Trump shot down the proposal earlier this month after a “rough consensus” emerged within the White House. Vice President J.D. Vance, Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth, and Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard were among the administration’s top officials who raised concerns that such an operation could escalate into a wider conflict with Iran.
This decision comes amid a history of tensions between Israel and Iran, including exchanges of strikes in April and October of the previous year. The two countries have long been arch-rivals in the Middle East, with Israel viewing Iran’s nuclear ambitions as an existential threat.
Trump’s rejection of the Israeli plan is a significant move, as it diverges from his previous stance on Iran. In his first term, Trump withdrew from the 2015 UN-backed nuclear deal, accusing Iran of secret violations and reimposing harsh sanctions. In response, Iran began to roll back its compliance with the agreement, accelerating its uranium enrichment.
Despite the tough rhetoric, including a recent threat by Trump to bomb Iran “if they don’t make a deal,” the US and Iran engaged in their first round of talks in Oman last Saturday. Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi described the talks as “productive, calm, and positive,” signaling a potential shift toward diplomatic negotiations.
