U.S. Intelligence Indicates Israel May Be Planning Strike on Iran's Nuclear Sites: Report

The United States has obtained new intelligence indicating that Israel may be preparing to launch a strike on Iranian nuclear facilities, CNN reported on Tuesday, citing several U.S. officials familiar with the matter. While it remains unclear whether Israeli leadership has made a final decision, there is internal disagreement within the U.S. government over whether such an attack will ultimately take place, the report noted.

Reuters was unable to independently verify CNN’s report. Requests for comment from the U.S. National Security Council went unanswered, as did inquiries sent to the Israeli Embassy in Washington and the Israeli Prime Minister’s Office, which were contacted after business hours.

One official familiar with the intelligence told CNN that the likelihood of an Israeli strike on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure has “increased significantly” in recent months. The source added that the probability of such an operation would rise further if the United States were to finalize a deal with Iran that failed to eliminate its enriched uranium stockpile.

According to CNN, the intelligence is based on both public and private remarks from senior Israeli officials, intercepted Israeli communications, and observable military activity that may point to imminent action. Two sources cited by the network said the U.S. had monitored movements of air munitions and the conclusion of an air force drill as part of Israel’s apparent preparations.

On the same day, Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, speaking through state media, condemned U.S. demands for Tehran to cease uranium enrichment, calling them “excessive and outrageous,” and expressed skepticism about the prospects for a successful nuclear agreement.