image sourced from original article at Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and President Donald Trump began planning a potential strike on Iran's nuclear program after their first meeting, developing an elaborate public deception campaign to mask their intentions, according to a new report. Netanyahu presented Trump with four possible scenarios for an attack, ranging from an exclusively Israeli operation to a full United States-led assault. While Trump initially opted for diplomacy, intelligence-sharing and military preparations continued in secret, with both countries leaking misleading information to keep Iran off guard.
The plan included arming and training over 100 Iranian agents, targeted assassinations of Iranian nuclear scientists, and precision strikes on Iran's nuclear and ballistic missile infrastructure. Despite efforts to minimize civilian casualties, dozens were killed and thousands wounded in the ensuing conflict. Israel justified the operation as a necessary measure to prevent Iran from advancing its nuclear ambitions, while Iran denied seeking nuclear weapons and retaliated with a massive missile and drone barrage, causing significant casualties and displacement in Israel.
During the conflict, Trump made a secret offer to Iran to lift sanctions in exchange for halting its nuclear and proxy activities, but Iran rejected the proposal. The coordinated operation marked an unprecedented level of covert and overt action between Israel and the United States, escalating tensions and resulting in widespread destruction and humanitarian impact.
