Credited from: NEWSWEEK
Recent US intelligence reports indicate that Israel is gearing up for a potential military strike on Iranian nuclear facilities, with officials warning that the likelihood of such an action has increased significantly. Intelligence assessments noted movements of air munitions and ongoing military exercises by Israel, alongside intercepted communications that suggest preparations for an imminent strike, although no final decision has been made yet, according to Indiatimes, Jakarta Post, and AA.
The diplomatic backdrop to these military preparations is the ongoing negotiations between the US and Iran over Tehran’s nuclear program. US President Donald Trump has emphasized that time is running out for a diplomatic solution, which adds urgency to the situation. If an agreement does not adequately restrict Iran's uranium enrichment, which is seen as a path to a nuclear weapon, Israel may act unilaterally, posing risks to the current diplomatic efforts, according to Newsweek, Channel News Asia, and Al Jazeera.
Iran has resolutely warned that it will hold the United States responsible for any Israeli strike on its nuclear facilities, with Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi stating that any such aggression would involve legal accountability for Washington. He has also warned Israel against any military adventurism, asserting that there will be a decisive response to any attack, as highlighted in reports from Dawn, Reuters, and Newsweek.
The backdrop of these interactions is a precarious diplomatic landscape where negotiations have encountered significant hurdles, primarily due to disagreements over uranium enrichment levels. In recent statements, Iran's leadership has rejected US demands that would halt its uranium enrichment, a stance echoed by Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei. He described such US demands as "excessive and outrageous," complicating the prospects for a successful diplomatic outcome, citing Channel News Asia and Reuters.