Israel is reportedly planning to take potential military action against Iran amid unsuccessful efforts by the U.S. to strike a deal with Iran to halt its nuclear weapons-making capabilities.
An Israeli strike, independent of the U.S., could happen within the next few days, NBC News, CBS News and The New York Times reported Thursday, citing sources close to the situation.
A senior Iranian official told Reuters on Thursday that the country will not abandon its right to uranium enrichment. Iran’s Revolutionary Guards commander Hossein Salami also told state media on Thursday that any aggression by Israel will be “more forceful and destructive” than those seen in the past. Both countries engaged in a series of exchanges of fire last year.
Out of precaution, the U.S. withdrew diplomats from Iraq on Wednesday and authorized the voluntary departure of U.S. military families from the Middle East should such an attack occur and prompt retaliation by Iran, the Times and CBS News reported.
“They are being moved out because it could be a dangerous place, we’ll see what happens,” President Donald Trump told reporters Wednesday night. “[Iran] can’t have a nuclear weapon. We’re not going to allow it.”
Israel had reportedly proposed attacking Iranian nuclear sites back in April, but was dissuaded by Trump over his insistence on trying to negotiate a deal with Tehran instead that would limit its nuclear program.
Weeks later, a United Nations nuclear watchdog determined that Iran has been carrying out secret nuclear activities at three locations where traces of uranium were found.
Iran is not complying with its nuclear obligations, the International Atomic Energy Agency’s board of governors concluded.
Iranian foreign ministry spokesperson Esmaeil Baghaei has called the proposed negotiations by the U.S. regarding its nuclear program “not acceptable to us.”
“We will present our own proposal to the other side via [Omani mediators] after it is finalized,” Baghaei said following talks Monday between both sides.
Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei also publicly criticized America’s proposals last week, saying: “Our response to the U.S.’ nonsense is clear: They cannot do a damn thing in this matter.”
A new round of talks has been planned for Sunday between Tehran and Washington.
