Report: Israel Urged U.S. to Join Fight Against Iran

Israel has urged the Trump administration over the past 48 hours to join the war with Iran in order to dismantle Tehran’s nuclear infrastructure, according to two Israeli officials who spoke with Axios Saturday night.

Israel faces a critical limitation: it does not possess the bunker-busting munitions or long-range bombers required to destroy Iran’s Fordow uranium enrichment plant, which is heavily fortified deep within a mountain. The U.S., however, does have such capabilities within striking range of Iran.

So far, the Trump administration has kept its distance from Israel’s ongoing operation and has asserted that Iran would not be justified in retaliating against U.S. assets. Any American strike, even a limited one, would draw the U.S. into direct conflict. But if Fordow remains intact once Israel’s campaign concludes, officials say Israel will not have achieved its objective of neutralizing Iran’s nuclear threat.

Behind closed doors, an Israeli official told Axios there is a chance the U.S. will join the fight, and claimed President Trump indicated as much to Prime Minister Netanyahu during a recent discussion.

A White House official pushed back on that claim Friday. On Saturday, a second U.S. official confirmed Israel’s request but clarified that the administration is not currently planning to participate. One senior White House official said, “whatever happens today cannot be prevented,” in reference to Israel’s offensive. “But we have the ability to negotiate a successful peaceful resolution to this conflict if Iran is willing. The fastest way for Iran to accomplish peace is to give up its nuclear weapons program,” the official added.

Israeli Ambassador to the U.S. Yechiel Leiter emphasized Friday on Fox News that “the entire operation… really has to be completed with the elimination of Fordow.”

Since the start of the Israeli assault, officials have repeatedly broached the possibility of U.S. involvement to specifically target Fordow. An Israeli source noted that the U.S. is still considering the proposal and stressed that Israel hopes President Trump ultimately agrees to take part.

One key variable in determining whether Israel’s bold military push succeeds or ends in strategic failure is the fate of Fordow, Iran’s most protected nuclear site. The facility is embedded within a mountain, making it exceptionally difficult to destroy without American support. If the site survives, officials warn Iran’s nuclear ambitions could surge forward rather than stall.

Shortly before entering the Situation Room for an Iran strategy briefing, President Trump told Axios he believes Israel’s airstrikes may have improved chances for a new U.S.-Iran nuclear agreement. Israel’s campaign has so far included the killing of several Iranian military leaders, the targeting of nuclear scientists, and ongoing bombings of nuclear and ballistic missile sites.

Israel began its strikes on Iran’s nuclear infrastructure Thursday night. But according to multiple sources familiar with discussions, the Trump administration has already informed Israel it won’t take direct part in any military action targeting Iran’s nuclear facilities.