Trump reportedly blocked Israeli plan to strike Iran’s nuclear sites
U.S. President, Donald Trump blocked an Israeli plan to launch a strike on Iranian nuclear sites, The New York Times reported on Wednesday, as efforts intensify to revive negotiations aimed at curbing Tehran’s nuclear ambitions.
The United States and Iran, which have not maintained diplomatic relations for over four decades, are currently engaged in talks to establish a new nuclear agreement, following Trump’s withdrawal from the 2015 landmark deal during his first term in office.
According to the report, U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araghchi are scheduled to meet in Rome on Saturday, marking the highest-level nuclear negotiations between both nations since the collapse of the original accord.
In March, Trump reportedly sent a letter to Iran’s Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, proposing direct talks but warning of potential military action if diplomatic efforts failed to yield results.
Senior Trump administration officials told The New York Times that Israel had approached Washington for support in carrying out an attack on Iran’s nuclear facilities, with the plan under review for several months.
However, during Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s recent visit to the White House, Trump informed Israeli officials that he would not endorse the strike. Instead, he publicly announced the resumption of direct negotiations with Tehran.
Iran has repeatedly denied pursuing nuclear weapons, though it has ramped up its nuclear activities following the U.S. withdrawal from the 2015 deal.
The latest report from the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) expressed “serious concern” over Iran’s nuclear stockpile, revealing that the country possesses approximately 274.8 kilograms of uranium enriched up to 60% purity — a level approaching weapons-grade.
