American intelligence agencies reached a pivotal determination by late May – Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu was preparing to launch an immediate assault on Iran's nuclear infrastructure, regardless of US participation, according to The New York Times.
The New York Times reported that the intelligence evaluation indicated Netanyahu's preparations extended far beyond targeting nuclear facilities alone, encompassing a comprehensive offensive that could threaten the Iranian government's survival. The assessment marked a significant escalation from previous Israeli considerations, with Netanyahu demonstrating unprecedented willingness to proceed independently.
Intelligence officials monitoring Israeli military preparations and political deliberations concluded that Netanyahu had moved past his historical pattern of yielding to American pressure, The New York Times reported. For over ten years, the Israeli leader had advocated for decisive military action before Iran could rapidly develop nuclear weapons capability, yet consistently retreated when successive US administrations refused support for such operations.
US President Donald Trump confronted increasingly complex strategic decisions as the intelligence assessment revealed Netanyahu's expanded military planning, according to The New York Times. The president had committed substantial political capital to diplomatic initiatives aimed at convincing Iran to abandon its nuclear aspirations, having already rejected Netanyahu's April proposal for immediate military action against Iranian targets.
The relationship between the two leaders grew strained during a late May telephone conversation when Trump cautioned Netanyahu against pursuing unilateral military action that would undermine ongoing diplomatic negotiations. The president emphasized his preference for continued diplomatic engagement over military confrontation.
Trump administration officials increasingly recognized their limited ability to prevent Netanyahu's military plans, based on discussions with key decision-makers involved in the administration's response deliberations. The realization that events were progressing beyond American control prompted extensive internal debates about alternative approaches.
Simultaneously, Trump's patience with Iranian negotiating tactics diminished as talks proceeded slowly, leading to growing skepticism about diplomatic success. The president began questioning whether the negotiations would produce meaningful results, creating additional pressure on the administration's strategy.
Senior administration officials disputed Israeli assertions about new intelligence indicating Iranian acceleration toward nuclear weapons production, according to The New York Times. These officials maintained that no credible evidence supported claims that Iran was rushing to build nuclear weapons, which would typically justify preemptive military action.
Recognizing their declining influence over Netanyahu's decisions and the likelihood that deterrence efforts would fail, Trump's advisers began evaluating alternative policy options. The administration found itself responding to Israeli initiatives rather than directing Middle East policy, fundamentally altering the strategic dynamic between the longtime allies.
