President Donald Trump will ultimately determine whether the United States launches military action against Iran, according to a senior Israeli diplomatic official, who said the latest discussions between Trump and Prime Minister Binyomin Netanyahu focused on one overriding goal: eliminating Iran’s nuclear threat, while weighing diplomatic, economic, and military options.
Speaking to reporters in Washington on Wednesday, the senior official said both leaders agreed that the objective is not simply carrying out a military operation but ensuring that Iran’s nuclear ambitions are brought to an end.
“The decision on whether to act militarily is up to the American President, unless Iran chooses to attack Israel, and the Iranians understand that Israel will respond,” the official stated.
The official said a significant portion of the meeting centered on three possible courses of action: negotiating a new agreement with Iran, tightening economic sanctions, or launching a major military strike. According to the source, Trump and Netanyahu examined the advantages and drawbacks of each option in detail.
He noted that “the Iranians transferred centrifuges to Pickaxe Mountain, but it is uncertain that they are enriching uranium.”
The official also said Israeli intelligence continues to assess that Iran’s Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, remains alive.
During the meeting, Netanyahu also outlined a long-term proposal to gradually eliminate American military aid to Israel over the next ten years. Under the plan, direct U.S. assistance would eventually be replaced by a broader strategic partnership while Israel significantly expands its own defense industry and weapons production capabilities.
The senior official also commented on the political backlash surrounding a Likud campaign video directed at Gadi Eisenkot. He said Netanyahu never personally viewed the video but was informed of the criticism it generated and believes that “it is right not to engage with bereavement from any side.” The official also accused the media of applying a double standard when reporting threats against the prime minister and his family, saying, “If it were the other way around, you would shut the country down.”
{Matzav.com}