Reports: Israel is considering an attack on Iran in the coming days - even without coordination with the US

American officials have been informed that Israel is prepared to launch a military operation in Iran, CBS reported this morning (Thursday) citing multiple sources.

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CBS also reported that despite the reports, Trump's Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff still plans to meet with Iran's foreign minister for a sixth round of talks, in order to try to reach an agreement, despite the large gaps between the countries.

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The Washington Post reported that Witkoff said last night in a conversation with Prime Minister Netanyahu: "A nuclear Iran is an existential threat to Israel, the Middle East and the entire free world. Iran must not develop any nuclear capabilities.".

NBC reported, citing five Western sources, that Israel is considering an attack on Iran without coordination with the United States. According to the report, Israel sees the approach to a possible agreement as an indigestible threat.

Experts have warned that the window of opportunity for such an attack may close soon, as Iran completes the restoration of its defense systems.

At the same time, the United States is preparing to order the evacuation of non-essential diplomatic staff from the embassy in Iraq due to "security risks.".

A US official said that Defense Secretary Pete Gasseth has approved the voluntary departure of family members of US soldiers stationed in certain areas of the Middle East.

In addition, the US State Department is preparing to order the departure of non-essential workers and their families from Bahrain and Kuwait.

The Pentagon is preparing to provide assistance as needed to embassy staff in Baghdad.

The Washington Post reported that the decision to evacuate American embassies was made in light of an intelligence assessment that Israel might act unilaterally against Iranian nuclear facilities, which could lead to a direct Iranian response against American targets.

A senior Iranian official threatened on Al-Alam Channel in light of the reports: "Any military action by Israel against Iran's nuclear facilities will be met with an unprecedented response.".

The senior official denied that there are military tensions between the United States and Iran: "Washington, under the influence of an Israeli lobby, is trying to create a boycott situation at its military and diplomatic bases.".

Iran's defense minister threatened yesterday that his country would attack US bases in the region if nuclear talks fail. The minister warned that in the event of a conflict, the Revolutionary Guards would target "all US bases in the host countries.".

President Trump addressed the situation and said that the United States "will not allow Iran to obtain a nuclear weapon," but clarified that diplomatic contacts with Tehran are still ongoing.

Doron Kadosh, the military correspondent for Galts, wrote:

It is difficult not to notice the flood of reports in the American media about a planned Israeli attack on Iran soon.

These reports can be read in several ways:

1. This is psychological warfare by the US against the Iranians. The constant leaks to the American media, Trump's vague insinuations, and the moves to evacuate US citizens from missions in the Middle East - it is possible that it is all part of an American "show" designed to bend Iran in negotiations, and bring it to the next round of talks in a less rigid position (Trump himself has complained in recent days about Iranian rigidity in the talks). If this possibility is correct - there is a good chance that Israel is also consciously taking part in this show: the interesting visit of Defense Minister Katz and Chief of Staff Zamir to the Nevatim Air Force base a few days ago - and the fact that the visit itself was openly published, including photos, by the Defense Minister's office.
2. American leaks designed to try to thwart Israeli action, or at least delay it - while the Americans continue talks with Iran. When the American media reports nonstop about an expected attack, and NBC even adds and writes that it is expected to be without US assistance - these may be deliberate leaks, aimed at causing Israel to avoid an attack, because Israel is losing the element of surprise and the Iranians are on high alert. To this must be added Trump's explicit statement that he urged Netanyahu to avoid an attack for the time being, as long as he continues to negotiate with the Iranians.
3. And there is also a third, simpler option: that everything is completely real, preparations are indeed in full swing, and a possible Israeli attack is indeed imminent - with or without American assistance. Preparations in Israel are indeed at an advanced stage, and in recent weeks the Israeli leadership has been very busy with the Iranian issue - both at the political and military levels.

Which of these options is correct? It's hard to know. We'll probably find out in the coming days or weeks.