Israel ‘will strike fast’ if Iran nuclear talks fail

Israel will reportedly move to attack Iran almost immediately if nuclear talks between Washington and Tehran break down, as Jerusalem loses faith the negotiations will lead to a deal.

The atomic enrichment facilities at Iran’s Natanz nuclear research centre. Picture: AFP.

Israel will reportedly move to attack Iran almost immediately if nuclear talks between Washington and Tehran break down, as Jerusalem loses faith the negotiations will lead to a deal.

Israeli intelligence officials confirmed to the Axios website Israel was preparing for a strike on Iran and said the Israeli Defence Forces believe they have to move fast if the weeks-long talks fail.

On Wednesday (AEST) CNN reported that Israeli communication intercepts and the movement of air munitions observed by US intelligence suggested a possible imminent attack.

Confirming those reports, an Israeli source told Axios: “Bibi is waiting for the nuclear talks to collapse and for the moment Trump will be disappointed about the negotiations and open to giving him the go ahead.”

A US official told the website the Trump administration was concerned Benjamin Netanyahu might make his move even if Donald Trump didn’t give the go-ahead.

On Wednesday night Mr Netanyahu insisted Israel had a right to defend itself “against a regime that threatens to destroy us”.

Donald Trump with Benjamin Netanyahu in the Oval Office. Picture: AFP.

The Israeli Prime Minister said he hoped the US and Iran would reach an agreement to prevent Tehran obtaining nuclear weapons.

“That would mean denying Iran the ability to enrich uranium,” he told reporters. “If such a deal is reached – of course, we would welcome it. But let me be clear: the state of Israel reserves the right to defend itself against a regime that threatens to destroy us.”

The warning came as Iran’s Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi insisted Tehran would never stop enriching uranium, reinforcing the Islamic Republic’s hard line ahead of a fifth round of talks on Friday.

American officials including President Trump, Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff and Secretary of State Marco Rubio insist Iran must give up enrichment — something it didn’t do in its 2015 nuclear deal with world powers.

“I have said it before, and I repeat it again: uranium enrichment in Iran will continue — with or without an agreement,” Mr Araghchi said, according to state television.

Mr Araghchi added that Iran was “currently reviewing whether to participate in the next round and when to take part” in talks with the US. Negotiators previously met in Muscat, Oman, and Rome but Mr Trump’s trip to the Mideast last week delayed any new meeting.

Later Wednesday, Oman’s foreign minister announced that the fifth round of indirect talks will be Friday in Rome. Oman has long served as a mediator, facilitating quiet diplomacy amid tensions over Iran’s nuclear program and regional security.

Iran’s foreign ministry spokesman, Esmail Baghaei, in a post on X later confirmed that Tehran has agreed to take part in the new round of talks. Washington has not confirmed the meeting or announced whether it will attend.

“We have never abandoned diplomacy. We will always be present at the negotiating table, and the main reason for our presence is to defend the rights of the Iranian people,” Mr Araghchi said. “We stand against excessive demands and rhetoric at the table.” His remarks came a day after Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, said he didn’t expect the negotiations to produce a deal.

“I don’t think nuclear talks with the U.S. will bring results. I don’t know,” Khamenei said.

With AFP