US intelligence warns Israel is considering strikes on Iranian nuclear sites: Report

WASHINGTON

US intelligence agencies have concluded that Israel is considering "significant strikes" on Iran’s nuclear facilities this year, the Wall Street Journal reported Wednesday.

The findings, produced during the final days of the Biden administration, highlight the potential risks of "further high-stakes military activity" in the Middle East, particularly given the “weakened” state of Iran’s military infrastructure, according to officials familiar with the intelligence assessment.

Israel may seek US support for such an attack, believing that President Donald Trump would be more likely to back military action than former President Joe Biden, the report said, citing the assessment.

A second report from the US intelligence community, delivered during the early days of President Trump’s administration, reiterated that Israel is contemplating strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities, the Journal reported, citing US officials familiar with the findings.

Neither the White House National Security Council nor Israeli officials have commented on the report.

Israeli officials, including Defense Minister Israel Katz, have recently said that Iran is more vulnerable than ever to an attack on its nuclear infrastructure.

Iran has previously warned of severe retaliation if its nuclear facilities are targeted.

The report comes amid rising tensions between Washington and Tehran since Trump took office in January, reinstating his "maximum pressure" policy against Iran over concerns about the country’s nuclear ambitions.

Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei urged the country Wednesday to further develop its military capabilities after Trump threatened to use force unless Tehran negotiates on its nuclear program.

In an interview with FOX News on Monday, Trump said there are two ways to stop Iran from developing a nuclear weapon: "with bombs or with a written piece of paper."

Iran’s mission to the UN condemned his remarks.