Israel presses for military option against Iran

Israel is urging the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump to develop a military contingency plan in case nuclear negotiations with Iran fail, the news site Axios reports.

According to sources cited by the outlet, White House special envoy Stephen Witkoff briefed Israeli Strategic Affairs Minister Ron Dermer on the outcome of the first round of talks with Iranian officials held in Oman.

Israel remains “highly skeptical” about the possibility of reaching an agreement on Iran’s nuclear program. Tehran, in turn, has voiced concerns that Washington may once again withdraw from the deal, as it did in 2018.

Sources also said that Witkoff discussed the initial round of talks with officials from Gulf states, while Iran’s Deputy Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi updated his counterparts in Qatar, Kuwait, and Egypt on the developments.