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3. Israel Casts Doubt on U.S.-Iran Diplomacy, Keeps Strike Option on the Table

Israeli officials have expressed doubt about the U.S.-Iran nuclear talks, believing that the outbreak of a conflict is imminent, according to Al Arabiya. 

According to the report, U.S. officials sent a briefing to Israel acknowledging that nuclear dialogue has reached an impasse, and that Iran may not consider making concessions on the nuclear issue.

When Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu met with President Donald Trump at the White House last week, he urged that the ballistic missiles and proxy network issues be reintroduced into the talks with Iran, which have remained focused solely on the nuclear issue. U.S. officials stated that this meeting did not yield a tangible breakthrough, commenting that the U.S. still preferred diplomacy to address Iran’s nuclear program.

Israel has remained steadfast in its position, viewing all three issues as an existential concern, and has signaled willingness to attack Iran unilaterally if U.S.-Iran talks do not address these considerations. 

Through these statements, Israel is expressing that attacks against Iran could be possible even in upcoming days as the viability of diplomatic paths towards a resolution are seen as limited.

Amid escalatory rhetoric being exchanged between the U.S. and Iran and as each side shores up its military assets, the two countries have engaged in nuclear talks in Oman and Switzerland, which leaders described as having gone positively. However, gaps remain in the talks where U.S. Vice President JD Vance suggested that Trump may no longer prefer the diplomatic option if demands are not properly addressed.

Satellite imagery revealed on Wednesday that Iran is reinforcing military sites, showing the construction of concrete shields and covering it with dirt. Iran has also been carrying out naval and live fire exercises around the Strait of Hormuz this week on Tuesday and Wednesday, including a temporary closure of some of its waters as it undergoes the drills.

The U.S. also sent over 50 more military aircraft to the Middle East this week in addition to awaiting the arrival of the USS Gerald Ford aircraft carrier to the Middle East from the Caribbean.

These developments indicate that both the U.S. and Iran, as well as Israel, are continuing to prepare for the possibility of direct conflict, leaving the option of military escalation on the table despite participating in rounds of diplomatic engagements.

As of now, talks are slated to continue, with U.S. diplomats giving Iran a two week deadline to return with a detailed proposal. However, both U.S. and Israeli officials remain doubtful on whether talks could feasibly continue for much longer.