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Trump Backs Israeli Strikes on Iran if Nuclear Talks Fail, Report Reveals

A CBS News report reveals that former US President Donald Trump told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu he would support Israeli strikes on Iran's missile program if nuclear talks fail. US military officials have reportedly discussed assisting Israel with such operations, including aerial refueling. However, key regional nations like Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and the UAE have publicly refused to allow their airspace to be used for attacks on Iran. As a second round of indirect US-Iran talks begins in Geneva, led by envoys from both sides, the diplomatic effort remains fragile with starkly different visions for any potential deal.

Key Points: Trump Would Support Israeli Strikes on Iran if Talks Fail

  • Trump's backing for Israeli strikes
  • US-Iran nuclear talks resume in Geneva
  • Regional states deny airspace for attacks
  • US officials discuss military support options
  • Diplomatic push faces major hurdles
2 min read

Trump would back Israeli strikes on Iran's missile program if US-Iran talks fail: Report

Report details Trump's support for Israeli strikes on Iran's missile program if US-Iran nuclear negotiations collapse, amid regional opposition.

"He would support Israeli strikes on Iran's ballistic missile program - CBS News Report"

Washington, Feb 16

US President Donald Trump said he would support Israeli strikes on Iran's ballistic missile program if negotiations between Washington and Tehran fail, US media reported.

Trump made the remarks when he met with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at Mar-a-Lago in Florida in December, according to a CBS News report, citing two sources familiar with the matter.

US military and intelligence officials have also discussed how Washington could assist Israel in potential operations against Iran's missile infrastructure, including providing aerial refueling for Israeli aircraft and helping secure overflight permissions from related regional countries, Xinhua news agency reported quoting the report.

However, Jordan, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates have publicly stated they would not allow their airspace to be used for any attacks against Iran, nor for Iran to launch attacks on other countries.

Also on Sunday, US Secretary of State Marco Rubio said during a visit to Slovakia that he prefers resolving tensions with Iran through diplomatic means.

A second round of US-Iran nuclear talks is expected to be held in Geneva on Tuesday. Rubio confirmed that US envoy Steve Witkoff and Trump's son-in-law Jared Kushner will represent Washington in the negotiations.

The meeting follows the first round in Oman's Muscat on February 6 that both sides described as a "good start" but yielded no visible breakthrough.

Meanwhile, Iranian Foreign Minister Seyed Abbas Araghchi was headed to Geneva on Sunday for a second round of Tehran-Washington indirect talks, even as relevant parties laid out starkly different visions of what a deal should entail, exposing the fragile foundations of the renewed diplomatic push.

Araghchi is leading a "diplomatic and specialised" delegation to the talks on Tuesday. He is expected to meet Swiss Foreign Minister Ignazio Cassis, Omani Foreign Minister Sayyid Badr bin Hamad Al Busaidi, and Rafael Grossi, director general of the International Atomic Energy Agency, among other officials, according to a ministry statement.

- IANS

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Reader Comments

P
Priya S
The report says Jordan, Saudi, and UAE won't allow their airspace to be used. That's a significant hurdle. It shows regional powers don't want another war on their doorstep. Hope the talks in Geneva succeed.
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Aman W
As an Indian, my primary concern is Chabahar Port. Any conflict jeopardizes that strategic project, which is crucial for our trade with Afghanistan and Central Asia. Our government must quietly urge all parties to show restraint.
S
Sarah B
While I understand the security concerns about Iran's missile program, publicly backing strikes before talks even conclude feels like sabre-rattling. It undermines the diplomats at the table. Let them work.
V
Vikram M
The world doesn't need more conflict. Oil prices will shoot up, our economy will feel the pinch. Hope better sense prevails. The focus should be on the Geneva talks, not on planning military support.
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Karthik V
Respectfully, this reporting feels one-sided. It highlights what Trump "would support" but gives less weight to Secretary Rubio's clear preference for diplomacy. The headline is more aggressive than the full story.

We welcome thoughtful discussions from our readers. Please keep comments respectful and on-topic.

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