US Intel: Israel Readying Possible Strike on Iran’s Nuclear Facilities

The United States has obtained fresh intelligence indicating that Israel may be preparing to launch a strike against Iran’s nuclear facilities, even as the Trump administration continues to pursue a diplomatic agreement with Tehran, according to multiple U.S. officials familiar with the classified assessments reported by CNN.

According to senior officials, any such military action would represent a sharp break from the diplomatic efforts led by President Donald Trump and could trigger a wider regional conflict, particularly given the already elevated tensions across the Middle East following the Gaza war that erupted in October 2023.

Officials cautioned that it remains unclear whether Israel’s leadership has made a final decision, and acknowledged ongoing internal divisions within the U.S. government about the likelihood and timing of such a move.

The prospect of a strike, analysts say, will likely depend on Israel’s perception of the outcome of U.S.-Iran nuclear talks. One official told CNN that “the likelihood of an Israeli strike on Iranian nuclear sites has increased significantly in recent months.”

Concerns in Washington have been heightened by the nature of the ongoing U.S.-Iran negotiations, which, under President Trump, do not currently include a full dismantlement of Iran’s enriched uranium stockpile—one of Israel’s key security demands.

Multiple sources familiar with U.S. intelligence assessments said the concern stems not only from direct public and private statements by senior Israeli officials, but also from intercepted Israeli communications and observed military activity, including the movement of air munitions and completion of major air drills.

Two sources noted that while these movements may be preparations for a strike, they could also serve as a tactical message to pressure Iran into abandoning core elements of its nuclear program by signaling the potential consequences of non-compliance.

The Biden administration and Pentagon have previously warned that unilateral military action by Israel could undermine long-term diplomatic efforts and risk igniting a broader regional conflict that might draw in multiple state and non-state actors.