Israel’s Defence Minister issues stern warning on Iran’s nuclear program, but concerns grow over Trump’s potential deal with Tehran

Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz reaffirmed Israel’s readiness to strike Iran’s nuclear facilities on Monday, as tensions escalate over US President Donald Trump’s pursuit of a nuclear agreement with the Islamic Republic. Katz made the statement during a briefing with the Israel Defence Forces (IDF) high command, asserting that preventing Iran from acquiring nuclear weapons remains Israel’s top priority.

“The central mission is to prevent Iran from getting a nuclear weapon,” Katz declared. “Israel will not allow Iran to get a nuclear weapon, and we are prepared, of course, in a deep dialogue with the US.” He also mentioned that Israel has confidence in its relationship with the US, particularly when military decisions are required, underscoring that Israel would act, with or without direct US involvement.

However, Israel’s stance on military intervention is complicated by concerns that Trump’s ongoing nuclear talks with Iran could impede Israeli action. Despite Katz’s aggressive rhetoric, several Israeli officials have privately expressed their concerns to The Jerusalem Post that Trump may block Israeli military efforts in order to secure a nuclear deal with Tehran—one that could leave Iran’s nuclear program largely intact but impose restrictions to delay its progress.

Trump, who has hinted at the possibility of military action, has nonetheless shifted his focus toward diplomatic solutions, emphasising that negotiations with Iran are advancing positively. “I think a deal will be reached… We’ll have something without needing to start bombing,” Trump stated on Sunday, suggesting that military action might be avoided if an agreement can be made.

The growing divergence between Israel and the US is evident, as Katz and Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu continue to push for a stronger stance against Iran’s nuclear ambitions. Since October 2024, when Israel’s air force successfully targeted Iran’s advanced S-300 anti-aircraft missile systems, Israel has reiterated that a military strike on Iran’s nuclear facilities is now more feasible than ever.

Yet, Israeli officials remain uncertain about the outcome of the US-Iran negotiations. One senior Israeli official revealed to The Jerusalem Post that Israel is bracing for a deal that could involve compromises on critical demands, such as the dismantling of Iran’s uranium enrichment facilities. “We do not yet know if the deal will align with our demands or resemble the previous deal, which we consider insufficient,” the official said.

Despite these concerns, Israel maintains that ongoing diplomatic discussions with the US will shape the final approach to Iran’s nuclear issue. A source from the Israeli government confirmed that there is consistent dialogue with US counterparts to ensure that any agreement reached does not allow Iran to advance its nuclear weapons capabilities unchecked.

With talks between the US and Iran set to continue, and Trump’s deadline for a deal nearing, Israel’s position remains uncertain. While Katz’s military threats indicate Israel’s readiness to act unilaterally, the political complexity surrounding the US-Iran negotiations will play a pivotal role in determining the future of this high-stakes geopolitical issue.