The American website Politico has reported, citing US officials familiar with ongoing discussions regarding the Iranian file, that senior advisers to President Donald Trump prefer that Israel initiate an attack on Iran before the United States launches its own strike.
According to two officials, who requested anonymity, members of the Trump administration have stated in private sessions that an Israeli strike would prompt Iran to retaliate, thereby helping to rally American voters in support of a US military strike against Iran.
The website commented that, under such a scenario, a greater number of Americans would likely accept US military intervention in Iran if the United States or one of its allies were attacked first.
Politico added that Trump’s advisers are taking into account the broader context of how military intervention in Iran would unfold, alongside other justifications such as Iran’s nuclear programme. This assessment comes in light of opinion polls showing that Americans support regime change in Iran but are unwilling to risk American casualties to achieve that objective.
One individual familiar with the discussions on Iran told the website that “there is thinking inside and around the administration that the political situation would be far better if the Israelis act alone first, the Iranians respond, and that gives us a stronger impetus to move”.
Regardless of whether Israel chooses to take the initiative, the most likely scenario remains a joint US Israeli operation, according to the two sources.
White House spokesperson Anna Kelly declined to comment on the statements cited by Politico, saying that “President Trump alone knows what he may or may not do”. The Israeli embassy in Washington also refrained from commenting on the report.
Scope of the Potential Operation
Regarding the possible scope of a military operation against Iran, a source familiar with the discussions stated that the United States is taking into consideration the risk of depleting its munitions and the possibility of American casualties should Washington opt for the more aggressive course of action.
The United States currently has thousands of troops stationed at military bases across the Middle East. President Trump has ordered the deployment of two aircraft carriers, along with dozens of fighter jets, reconnaissance aircraft and refuelling planes, marking the largest concentration of US forces in the region since the invasion of Iraq in 2003.
According to Politico, a senior US intelligence official indicated that American intelligence agencies are “concerned and monitoring” the possibility of Iranian retaliation against US targets in the Middle East and Europe.
Source: Politico
