Israel pushes US to help neutralize Iran’s nuclear threat

Israel is turning up the pressure on Washington, asking President Trump to help destroy Iran’s nuclear facilities as its conflict with Iran escalates.

By World Israel News Staff/eM>

Senior Israeli government officials have reached out to the Trump administration since the outbreak of the Israel-Iran war on Friday, asking for the U.S. military to directly join the fight and help Israel permanently dismantle Iran’s nuclear program and facilities.

According to an Axios report, while Israel has managed to significantly damage many of Iran’s nuclear sites, the Jewish state needs American assistance to destroy the Fordow uranium enrichment site.

Destroying Fordow, which is nestled deep underground within a mountain range, requires heavy munitions such as bunker-busting bombs, along with large bomber aircraft — resources that Israel currently lacks but that the U.S. possesses.

So far, Washington has rebuffed proposals to become directly involved in the conflict, with President Donald Trump repeatedly saying that the U.S. is still open to talks with Iran.

Speaking to Axios, an Israeli official expressed optimism that the U.S. may join the operation. That official claimed that Trump recently told Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that Washington may join Israel’s campaign against the Iranian nuclear program in the future.

However, two White House officials vehemently denied that claim to Axios, saying that “currently, the administration is not considering” joining the conflict directly.

“We have the ability to negotiate a successful peaceful resolution to this conflict if Iran is willing,” a senior Trump administration official told the outlet.

“The fastest way for Iran to accomplish peace is to give up its nuclear weapons program,” the official added.

The Trump administration has stressed that because the U.S. has not participated in the Israeli attack on Iran, Tehran would have no basis to attack American assets in the Middle East.

“We are not involved in strikes against Iran, and our top priority is protecting American forces in the region,” said Secretary of State Marco Rubio.

“Let me be clear: Iran should not target U.S. interests or personnel.”