U.S. Report: Israel to Launch an Attack on Iranian Nuclear Sites by Mid-Year

14th February 2025

3 minutes read

U.S. Report: Israel to Launch an Attack on Iranian Nuclear Sites by Mid-Year

The Washington Post reports, citing multiple intelligence reports, that such an attack would disrupt Iran’s nuclear program for weeks or months.

According to several intelligence reports cited by The Washington Post, U.S. intelligence agencies have warned that Israel is likely to launch an attack on Iran’s nuclear program by mid-year.

The newspaper stated that such an attack would disrupt Iran’s nuclear program for weeks or months, while escalating regional tensions and risking a broader conflict. These assessments are based on multiple intelligence reports issued at the end of Joe Biden’s administration and the beginning of Donald Trump’s term.

White House National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes told the newspaper that Trump “will not allow Iran to acquire a nuclear weapon.”

He added to The Washington Post: “While he prefers negotiating a peaceful resolution to the United States’ long-standing issues with the Iranian regime, he will not wait indefinitely if Iran is not ready to engage, and soon.”

موقع لإطلاق الصواريخ في إيران

The newspaper stated that the most comprehensive intelligence reports were issued in early January and were prepared by the Directorate of Intelligence of the Joint Chiefs of Staff and the Defense Intelligence Agency.

These reports warned that Israel is likely to attempt an attack on Iran’s Fordow and Natanz nuclear facilities.

According to current and former U.S. officials familiar with the intelligence, who spoke anonymously, Israel has concluded that its bombing of Iran in October weakened Iranian air defenses, leaving the country vulnerable to another attack.

Last year, Iran and Israel exchanged military strikes amid broader tensions related to Israel’s war in Gaza. At the time, several Israeli government ministers, including former National Security Minister Itamar Ben Gvir and current Finance Minister Bezalel Smotrich, advocated seizing the opportunity to launch strikes against Iran’s nuclear sites.

According to The Washington Post, intelligence reports envisioned two possible scenarios for an Israeli strike, each involving logistical support from the U.S., including aerial refueling and intelligence sharing.

In an interview with Fox News last Monday, Donald Trump stated that he preferred reaching an agreement with Iran to prevent the country from acquiring a nuclear weapon. He also expressed the belief that Iran would rather strike a deal than engage in armed conflict.

“Everyone believes that Israel, with our support or approval, will bomb them and destroy them. I would prefer that not to happen,” he said.

During Barack Obama’s presidency, the U.S. and European powers negotiated an agreement with Iran to halt its nuclear program. However, in his first term, Donald Trump withdrew from the historic deal in 2018—under the influence of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu—and reimposed sanctions on Tehran.

Since then, Iran has resumed its nuclear program and begun enriching uranium, according to the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA).

Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi stated in January, during an interview with Iranian state television, that Iran, the United Kingdom, France, and Germany had met in Geneva to discuss ways to resume nuclear talks.