A general view of the city skyline in Tehran, Iran, February 4, 2023. Majid Asgaripour/WANA (West Asia News Agency) via REUTERS/File Photo
Israel Considers Limited Strike on Iran Amid U.S. Reluctance to Support Military Action
NEW YORK, April 19, 2025 — Israeli officials have not ruled out the possibility of a military strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities in the coming months, despite signals from U.S. President Donald Trump that Washington is currently unwilling to support such an operation, according to one Israeli official and two individuals familiar with the matter.
Israeli Concerns Over Iran’s Nuclear Program
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has consistently emphasized that any negotiations with Iran must result in the complete dismantling of Tehran’s nuclear capabilities. While Iran maintains that its nuclear program is for peaceful purposes, Israeli leaders have vowed to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
Negotiators from the United States and Iran are scheduled to hold a second round of preliminary nuclear discussions in Rome on Saturday.
Proposed Military Options
Over recent months, Israel has presented various military options to the Trump administration, including scenarios involving airstrikes and commando operations that could be executed as early as late spring or summer. According to sources, these operations differ in scale and are intended to delay Iran’s ability to weaponize its nuclear program by a period ranging from several months to over a year.
Although President Trump has reportedly communicated to Netanyahu that the U.S. is currently focused on diplomatic engagement, Israeli officials believe a limited strike might proceed independently with reduced American involvement.
Strategic and Diplomatic Implications
Sources indicate that while a more contained strike could be executed without full U.S. backing, Israel would still require U.S. support in defending itself against potential Iranian retaliation. A previous version of Israel’s military plan was also shared with the Biden administration, which opposed direct military engagement unless Iran took drastic steps such as accelerating uranium enrichment or expelling international inspectors.
Speaking on Thursday, President Trump stated: “I think that Iran has a chance to have a great country and to live happily without death. That’s my first option. If there’s a second option, I think it would be very bad for Iran, and I think Iran is wanting to talk.”
Iranian and U.S. Reactions
A senior Iranian security official responded to the reports by warning that any Israeli strike would be met with a “harsh and unwavering response.” The official also accused Netanyahu of pursuing conflict for political gain, suggesting the military planning is driven by dissatisfaction with diplomatic progress.
Meanwhile, former Biden administration officials have reiterated that most Israeli plans would require substantial U.S. military capabilities, including bunker-busting munitions needed to target Iran’s heavily fortified underground nuclear facilities.
Risks and Strategic Calculations
While Israel is considering a narrower operation that may need less U.S. intervention, the risks remain high. Experts agree that even a powerful strike is unlikely to permanently disable Iran’s nuclear program, instead setting it back temporarily.
Netanyahu has stated that any agreement with Iran should follow a “Libyan-style” model involving complete dismantlement of nuclear infrastructure under U.S. supervision. He warned that absent such an agreement, military action remains a viable alternative.
“This can be done by agreement, but only if this agreement is Libyan style: They go in, blow up the installations, dismantle all of the equipment, under American supervision,” Netanyahu said. “The second possibility is … that they (Iran) drag out the talks and then there is the military option.”
Context and Timing
Recent developments may influence Israel’s strategic considerations. Iran’s regional allies—Hamas in Gaza, Hezbollah in Lebanon, and the Houthi movement in Yemen—have been significantly weakened by Israeli and U.S. military actions. In addition, Iran’s air defense infrastructure sustained major damage during an exchange of fire with Israel in October 2024.
A senior Israeli official acknowledged that timing may be critical if Israel intends to act before Iran restores its defensive capabilities. However, the official declined to provide a timeline, calling such discussions “pointless.”
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