Israel is considering launching a strike on Iran within days, potentially without assistance from the United States, NBC News reported Thursday morning.
Five sources familiar with the matter said Israel is deliberating a military operation on Iranian soil, even as US President Donald Trump is in the midst of advanced negotiations with Tehran on a new diplomatic framework to limit Iran's nuclear program.
According to the sources, the closer Washington and Tehran get to a deal, which reportedly includes provisions for uranium enrichment that Israel deems unacceptable, the more likely it becomes that Israel will act independently.
Such a move could cause a serious rift between Jerusalem and the Trump administration, which has previously opposed unilateral action. At the same time, Washington is awaiting Tehran's response to a draft agreement. Trump has publicly stated that Iran has hardened its position during the talks.
Amid growing concerns about a potential new front in the long-running confrontation, the US has ordered its embassies located within range of Iranian ballistic missiles, aircraft or other capabilities, including in the Middle East, North Africa and Eastern Europe, to provide risk assessments and recommendations to reduce threats to American personnel and infrastructure, two sources said.
Both US and international officials are on alert for the possibility of an Israeli strike, the same sources said. As of now, the White House has not briefed senior lawmakers on the matter, according to an advisor and another American official. A major concern is that Iran could retaliate against US forces or assets in the region in response to such a strike.
One source familiar with Israeli planning said Jerusalem may proceed without Washington, despite previously relying at times on US intelligence or logistical support. As of now, there are no signs of American involvement, direct or indirect, such as aerial refueling or intelligence sharing, the sources said.
An official statement confirmed the voluntary departure of non-essential US personnel from several sensitive areas. Simultaneously, the US Defense Department has ordered the voluntary departure of military families from bases under the jurisdiction of US Central Command (CENTCOM). CENTCOM Commander Gen. Erik Kurilla, who was expected to testify on Capitol Hill on Thursday, canceled his appearance at the last minute, reportedly due to developments on the ground.
Meanwhile, Israeli officials are increasingly concerned that Iran is continuing to bolster its strategic air defense systems, significantly raising the risks associated with a manned strike. In an operation last October, Israel succeeded in damaging nearly all of Iran's air defense systems, mainly Russian-made S-300 systems, but most of the destruction was to components that can be quickly repaired, such as radar arrays. This suggests Israel's window for a manned strike may be closing.
While Israel would prefer to act with US support, particularly regarding strikes on Iran's nuclear facilities, it demonstrated in October its ability to conduct significant independent operations. Michael Knights of the Washington Institute for Near East Policy said the US evacuation of non-essential staff from its embassy in Iraq was intended to send a clear message to Tehran: Trump is unlikely to stand in Israel's way if it decides to act.
"This is an effort to compel Iran to heed the president's warning," Knights explained. Trump, for his part, has expressed frustration with Iran, accusing it of failing to meet the two-month deadline he set for a new nuclear agreement. Both Knights and another source familiar with the talks said it remains unclear whether Israel will act now or wait for further developments in the negotiations.
"They're just asking for things that can't be granted. They don't want to give up what they need to give up," Trump told reporters. "They want to enrich [uranium]. We cannot allow enrichment."
According to a senior Iranian official who spoke with The New York Times, the Iranian government has already convened an emergency meeting and approved a plan for a "firm response," which includes the immediate launch of hundreds of ballistic missiles at Israel.
