Israel is preparing for further military action if Iran tries to revive its nuclear program. Israeli officials believe U.S. President Donald Trump could give the "green light" to renew Israeli attacks. This was reported by Axios, citing its sources.
The Iranian nuclear crisis will be a major topic of conversation between Trump and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House.
Israeli officials say Netanyahu wants to reach an understanding with Trump about future U.S. nuclear talks with Iran and about possible scenarios that would justify renewed military strikes.
Netanyahu's top adviser, Ron Dermer, has told officials in closed briefings that the Trump administration would support new Israeli strikes against Iran under certain circumstances, the sources said. He declined to comment officially.
One scenario would be Iran attempting to remove highly enriched uranium from damaged facilities in Fordow, Natanz and Isfahan, the sources said. Another would be if the Iranians began to rebuild their nuclear program, particularly enrichment facilities.
Trump has said twice since the end of the 12-day war between Israel and Iran that the United States could attack Iran again in the future if it resumes uranium enrichment.
But he has also said he wants to reach a negotiated agreement to avoid further conflict.
The White House did not respond to a request for comment.
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One of the key issues discussed in Dermer's meetings was Iran's stockpile of highly enriched uranium, which includes 400 kilograms of 60% enriched uranium. Weapons-grade uranium requires about 90% enrichment.
Israeli and American officials say the material is currently "sealed" at the three nuclear sites. The United States and Israel have assessed that these sites have been significantly damaged, but that not all nuclear materials or infrastructure have been destroyed.
Iranian President Massoud Pezeshkian said in an interview aired Monday with Tucker Carlson that the nuclear facilities have been severely damaged, but Iran does not currently have access to them to accurately assess the situation.
U.S. and Israeli officials say that intelligence agencies from both countries are monitoring Iran's activities around its nuclear facilities to detect attempts to remove materials or restore operations.
White House envoy Steve Witkoff plans to meet with Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi in Oslo in the coming days to resume nuclear talks.
The Iranians have confirmed that such a meeting is in the works, but no final date has been set.
Dermer told the Israeli officials that the United States remains committed to the principle of for zero uranium enrichment on Iranian soil in the nuclear negotiations.