Israel is reportedly continuing preparations for potential strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, even as the United States pursues diplomatic engagement with Tehran.
According to a CNN report citing multiple intelligence sources, U.S. officials have recently obtained intelligence indicating that Israel is actively planning for military action against Iran. The preparations are reportedly ongoing despite President Donald Trump informing Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu during his April 2 visit to the White House that the U.S. would prioritize diplomacy over military action.
Nonetheless, American officials are said to be preparing to assist Israel should they make the decision to strike, short of the U.S. carrying out any strikes themselves.
The report comes on the heels of remarks made Tuesday by Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who said he did not believe negotiations with the United States would be fruitful. Khamenei’s comments coincided with Iran's rejection of a proposal from Oman to attend a fifth round of indirect talks with the U.S., which were scheduled to take place this Friday in Rome.
Despite diverging approaches, both the U.S. and Israel appear united in their core demand: that Iran fully dismantle its nuclear enrichment capabilities. Israeli officials have long insisted that any deal allowing Iran to maintain even low-level enrichment is unacceptable. This aligns with the increasingly hawkish tone coming from the Trump administration.
U.S. envoy Steve Witkoff has repeatedly labeled Iran’s enrichment program a “red line,” echoing Israel’s stance that no deal is possible unless Iran agrees to a complete dismantling. Iran, for its part, has been firm in its refusal to end enrichment entirely, with Khamenei also stating Tuesday it will continue its nuclear program with or without a deal.
This impasse has brought negotiations between Washington and Tehran to a standstill. Adding to the pressure, President Trump sent a letter to Khamenei on March 7, warning that Iran had 60 days to reach a deal or face the threat of military action—a deadline that has now expired without agreement, though for now, the White House policy appears to be only seeking diplomacy.