Israel is considering launching a military strike against Iran in the coming days — even without support from the United States amid faltering diplomatic efforts to curtail Iran’s nuclear programme, according to multiple US media reports.
Sources told NBC News that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu's government has become increasingly serious about acting unilaterally as negotiations between Washington and Tehran move towards a preliminary deal that includes provisions allowing Iran to enrich uranium.
According to Sky News' US partner network NBC, a Capitol Hill aide and other sources familiar with the matter confirmed that Israel is weighing military options independent of Washington’s support.
Read: Iran warns West, Israel over IAEA pressure ahead of new nuclear talks
It comes as the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA), the UN’s nuclear watchdog, has formally concluded for the first time in nearly two decades that Iran is not complying with its nuclear obligations. Tehran has denied the claim, insisting it has remained within its safeguarding commitments.
Iranian Defence Minister Aziz Nasirzadeh on Wednesday warned that Tehran would target US military bases across the region if a conflict breaks out between the two countries.
His statement followed testimony from General Michael Kurilla, commander of US Central Command (CENTCOM), who told Congress on Tuesday that he had presented President Trump with a “range of options” to prevent Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons.
In response to the escalating tension, the United States has ordered the evacuation of all non-essential personnel from its embassy in Baghdad. A similar option has been extended to staff and dependents at US missions in Bahrain and Kuwait.
US President Donald Trump confirmed the move on Wednesday evening, saying: “They are being moved out because it could be a dangerous place, and we'll see what happens”.
White House spokesperson Anna Kelly said the decision was taken “as a result of a recent review,” but made no reference to any planned Israeli strike.
Despite the evacuation, an Iraqi government source told the state news agency that Baghdad has not observed any security indicators warranting such a move. The US embassy in Baghdad is already operating with limited staffing.
The Trump administration remains engaged in efforts to reach a nuclear agreement with Iran. According to Axios, US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff is set to meet Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Muscat, Oman, this weekend to discuss Tehran’s response to a recent US proposal.
Read More: Iran says US travel ban ‘violates international law’
Talks between the US and Iran aim to curb Iran’s nuclear programme in exchange for partial relief from American sanctions. Iran insists its programme is peaceful and within international legal bounds.
President Trump, however, expressed doubt about the prospects of reaching a deal. In an interview with the New York Post’s “Pod Force One” podcast, he said he was “getting more and more less confident” in the negotiations.
“They seem to be delaying, and I think that's a shame,” Trump said. “Something happened to them.”
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