Israel assures US it won't strike Iran unless talks fail

Israel has reassured the White House that it won't launch an attack against Iran's nuclear facilities unless President Trump signals negotiations with Iran have failed, two Israeli officials with direct knowledge tell Axios, Report informs.

The Trump administration has been concerned in recent weeks that Israel is preparing to launch a strike despite the ongoing talks, and President Trump said he cautioned Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu against making his move while talks are still taking place.

But Trump also said his stance "could change with a phone call" if he feels the talks with Iran are going nowhere.

Israel conveyed the message of reassurance during a visit to Washington last week by Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer, Mossad Director David Barnea and National Security Adviser Tzahi Hanegbi, Israeli officials say.

One official said the Israelis made it clear to their US counterparts that Israel won't surprise the Trump administration with a military strike on Iran.

"We calmed the Americans and told them there is no logic in launching an attack if a good diplomatic solution can be found. This is why we are going to give it a chance and wait with any military action until it is clear that negotiations were exhausted and [White House envoy] Steve Witkoff has given up," a second Israeli official said.

A senior Israeli official said that while the Israel Defense Forces are training all the time for a possible strike against Iran, the US and other countries misread measures the IDF took ahead of strikes against the Houthis in Yemen as preparations for an imminent strike against Iran.