Limited Strike with Reduced U.S. Support: New Israeli Plan to Cripple Iran’s Nuclear Program

19th April 2025

3 minutes read

Limited Strike with Reduced U.S. Support: New Israeli Plan to Cripple Iran’s Nuclear Program

Israel is considering the option of carrying out a limited military strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities, as part of a new plan aimed at weakening Tehran’s nuclear capabilities — without requiring broad U.S. support, contrary to previous proposals.

According to an Israeli official and two informed sources cited by Reuters, Israel has not ruled out launching an attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities in the coming months, despite U.S. President Donald Trump’s current opposition to directly supporting such an operation.

Trump reportedly informed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu recently that the United States prefers to prioritize diplomacy with Tehran, limiting the chances of American backing for military action in the near term.

Nevertheless, the Israeli government reiterates its commitment to preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons, with Netanyahu insisting that any negotiated deal with Tehran must lead to the full dismantlement of its nuclear program.

A second round of preliminary talks between the United States and Iran is scheduled to be held this Saturday in Rome, amid regional and international anticipation.

Airstrikes and Special Operations

In recent months, Israel submitted to the Trump administration a series of proposals outlining how to execute an attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities. These include multiple options that could be implemented in late spring or summer.

According to the sources, the plans range from aerial bombardments to specialized operations carried out by elite forces, all designed to cause significant — if temporary — damage to Iran’s nuclear capabilities, potentially lasting for months or more.

The New York Times reported that Trump told Netanyahu during a White House meeting earlier this month that Washington is not currently prepared to support military action, preferring to focus on diplomatic solutions.

Although the U.S. administration has not explicitly barred Israel from attacking, Trump expressed reluctance to support military escalation. On Thursday, he said, “I think Iran has a chance to be a great nation and to live happily without death… that’s my first choice. If there’s a second option, I think it would be very bad for Iran, and I think Iran wants dialogue.”

Despite the absence of direct American support, some Israeli officials believe the military is capable of carrying out a limited strike without substantial U.S. involvement — an option gaining increased traction within Israel’s security establishment, though it remains less ambitious than earlier plans that relied heavily on U.S. cooperation.

Two senior officials from President Joe Biden’s administration told Reuters that some aspects of these plans had indeed been presented to the White House last year, with nearly all of them involving some form of American support — either through direct military involvement or advanced intelligence sharing.

Israel also requested that the United States be prepared to assist in the event of escalation requiring a response to any Iranian counterattack.

The U.S. National Security Council declined to comment directly, referring only to Trump’s latest statements. Netanyahu’s office has not yet responded to requests for comment.

Iranian Warning

Meanwhile, Iran has issued a warning, stating it is closely monitoring developments. A senior Iranian security official confirmed that Tehran is aware of what it described as “Israeli plans” to strike its nuclear sites, stressing that “any aggression will be met with a firm and strong response.”

The Iranian official added that the country possesses reliable intelligence indicating that Israel is preparing a major strike on nuclear facilities. He noted that such preparations reflect Tel Aviv’s dissatisfaction with ongoing negotiations, as well as Netanyahu’s intent to use military escalation as a means to bolster his domestic political position.