US intelligence warns of potential Israeli strike on Iran’s nuclear sites by mid-year: Report

Intelligence assessments from the former Biden administration and the current Trump administration suggest that such an attack would delay Iran's nuclear program by only weeks or months, while greatly escalating regional tensions and increasing the risk of a broader conflict, the US daily reported.

White House National Security Council spokesperson Brian Hughes told The Washington Post that President Donald Trump "will not permit Iran to get a nuclear weapon" and emphasized that while Trump prefers a peaceful resolution with Iran, he will not wait indefinitely for negotiations.

The most detailed intelligence assessment, issued in early January by the Joint Chiefs of Staff's intelligence directorate and the Defense Intelligence Agency, warned that Israel is likely planning an attack on Iran’s Fordow and Natanz nuclear sites, the report added.

Current and former US officials familiar with the intelligence said Israel believes its October bombing of Iran weakened the country’s air defenses, making it vulnerable to another strike.

In a Fox News interview aired Monday, Trump said he would prefer to reach a deal with Iran to prevent it from acquiring a nuclear weapon, adding: "Everyone assumes that Israel, with our support or approval, will go in and bomb the hell out of them. I would prefer that not happen."

Under former US President Barack Obama, the US and European allies reached a deal to curb Iran’s nuclear program, but Trump, with support from Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu, withdrew from the agreement in 2018 and reinstated sanctions.

Since then, Iran has resumed its nuclear activities, including uranium enrichment, according to the UN nuclear agency.

In January, Iranian Foreign Minister Abbas Araqchi announced that Iran, Britain, France, and Germany met in Geneva to discuss reviving nuclear negotiations.